No funds for upkeep, Sainik school on the verge of closure

Dinesh Kanwar

Despite ranking high on the list of sainik schools in the country, Sainik School at Sujanpur Tira (SSST), is on the verge of closure.

Reason: Government’s apathy towards it. Significantly, the foundation stone of the school was laid by Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister, in 1974 and was inaugurated by Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, the then President of India, on November 2, 1978.

The school authorities have also written to the Ministry of Defence to either provide funds to improve the condition of the school or close it down.

The school authorities are running from pillar to post to get the land transferred from the state government. Since the land and building of the school are maintained by the state government, it is difficult for the school authorities to get the funding from the MoD in the prevailing situation. This has further hampered development of the school. Pertinently, the school was to sign an MoU with the state government on the day of its establishment, but even after 40 years, the files pertaining to the MoU are gathering dust in different departments of the state government.

Moreover, the condition of the buildings, including hostels, classrooms, quarters and dining halls, has turned from bad to worse. The washrooms have broken doors, hostel rooms have broken window panes and the tin roof had perforated from many places. The condition of toilets was extremely pathetic, as the sewer often remains blocked and need complete reconstruction. The sorry state of the building is reflected from the fact that fungus has grown on the walls and dampness further adds to unhealthy living conditions at the hostel.

The condition of electric fitting is no different in the entire campus, as the insulation of the service wires has lived its life. Naken wires can be seen at several points causing short-circuits on regular intervals. This is unsafe for the students.

Grooms 2nd highest cadets

Notably, the school was established to produce cadets with strong character and then mould them into joining the defence forces as officers. Sainik School Sujanpur Tira holds the second position among total 27 sainik schools in the country for grooming 429 Army officers, who made it to the National Defence Academy (NDA), Kharagwasla, ever since it was set up. The first position in sending the highest number of its 600 students to the NDA is held by Sainik School, Ghora Khaal.

Sources said once the MoU for the land transfer was signed with the state government, it would start receiving funds. The MoU would also make the state government liable for the pension for non-defence employees of the school.

MoU delayed

The state government had delayed the MoU in view of financial burden on the state exchequer. The issue of land transfer was also on hold, as the school had demanded transfer of a part of the historical Sujanpur Chaugan to the school, so that it could create a partition and take control of the portion of the sprawling ground. This would help in ensuring students’ safety, who otherwise are exposed to threats from locals.

Group Captain Amit Paul, Principal of the school, said: “I met Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to get the MoU signed. Despite repeated requests, only lame assurances were given and no funds have been released so far. I have written to the MoD to consider giving funds to the school or close it down, as in existing conditions, it will be difficult to run the school. Over 75 per cent seats in the school are reserved for students of the state and the government should not ignore this prestigious institution of the state.”

Lt Col Dharmender Patial (retd), an alumni, said: “Sainik School Sujanpur Tihra has produced proud officers for the Indian defence services in the last 41 years. The Government of India and the state government must work together for the well-being of the institution. It is disheartening to know that the school is facing poor financial health and is on the verge of closure.”

Sandeep, another alumni of the school, said: “SSST is state’s pride and the government must improve the deteriorating condition of the school.”

Rajinder Rana, MLA, Sujanpur, said: “Since the school falls in the parliamentary constituency of Anurag Thakur, Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, he should be the first to take note of the prevailing condition of this prestigious institution. I have raised the issue of the school in the recent session of the Assembly and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had assured to give funds to the school.”

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