PSHRC seeks report from authority on why Nurmahal school building incomplete

Phagwara, February 12

The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has directed state project director, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan Authority, to submit his report on incomplete building of Nurmahal Senior Secondary School on the next date of the hearing on April 1, 2024.

Justice Sant Parkash stated in his order that the state project director, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan Authority, Punjab, had sought more time to submit the report in a written communication to the commission which was granted.

The order stated that the report would be sent to the commission by the next date of the hearing, which was fixed for April 1.

The PSHRC is hearing a complaint filed by Aditya Bhatara, former president of the Nakodar Nagar Council.

The complainant had alleged that the construction work of the new building of the Government Senior Secondary School (Co-education), Nurmahal, was stopped seven years ago. He had requested the commission to act on the matter.

Director General of School Education (DGSE) had released Rs 1.14 crore for the construction of the school building in October 2013, following directions from the PSHRC.

The school principal received Rs 57 lakh in 2013 which was deposited in accounts of the Public Works Department (PWD) as it was the agency to construct government school buildings at a cost above Rs 50 lakh.

The PWD completed 50 per cent of the construction work, but the Finance Department did not release the remaining grant. As a result, the construction work came to a halt. Nakodar MLA IK Mann said the school construction would resume soon. She said the remaining grant would be released by the government. However, no amount has been released for the construction work till date.