Illegal construction at English Bazaar school stopped

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 17: The district administration has stopped illegal construction at Dhirendra Nath Saha Vidyabhawan premises in English Bazaar town, which was carried out by the teacher in charge (TIC ) of the school. A group of assistant teachers and local people had lodged complaints with the civic body, the sabhadhipati** and district magistrate, the district inspector of schools and other concerned officials. It was alleged the TIC started construction without the civic body's permission, obstructing the playground for the school's students. In a complaint lodged with the district officials it was stated: “There is no staff council or finance committee or any managing committee since long time. There is a trust body and being the secretary of the body, the TIC has been functioning here as the planner, contractor, supplier of materials for the construction and keep records of finance so he could earn something extra from the school.” The English Bazaar civic body immediately issued a stop construction notice to the TIC. On the other hand, the district magistrate Mr CR Das asked the district inspector of school to look into the matter to stop construction until further order. The Malda DI (secondary) Mr Chinmay Sarkar, said: “I have instructed to stop construction and the TIC has stopped the construction.” Sources said the district magistrate’s representative would visit the school soon following allegation. It was learnt the TIC had sold another plot of land to others where residential complexes were constructed. A few days ago a top official from the education department came to school to inquire into gross irregularities. The TIC Mr K Sen told reporters: “There was no objection earlier when we had constructed a building. I cannot understand why they raise objections now. I have stopped the construction work following the instruction of the district administration.”