Confusion delays construction of Sainik School in Rudraprayag

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 5

The proposal to open the second Sainik School in Rudraprayag is yet to be approved owing to differences between the Departments of Education and Soldier Welfare.

BJP MP from Pauri BC Khanduri had last year informed the media about the approval given by the Union Ministry of Defence for the construction of the school. However, a memorandum of understanding is yet to be signed between the state government and the Sainik School society.

According to information, the Department of Soldier Welfare wants to take up the construction of the school. However, according to the rules, the Department of Education should be entrusted with the task. Due to this confusion, no one is sure as to who should sign the MoU to get the project going.

As Harak Singh Rawat is heading the Department of Soldier Welfare, the issue has got embroiled in politics. The minister does not want to lose an opportunity to take credit for the construction of the school. “It is a matter of prestige for him. Apart from being a minister (soldier welfare), he is an MLA from Rudraprayag. He is claiming that the process to get sanction for the school was started in 2009 by him. A total of 52 acres has been sanctioned,” said a senior government official.

Earlier, the Department of School Education had refused to divulge information about receiving a letter of approval for setting up the school in Rudraprayag. The matter came to light after Khanduri informed the media that the approval has been given for the school.