KORAPUT : Construction of a girls’ hostel on the campus of Government Women’s College, Koraput has raised eyebrows. Reason: The hostel is being constructed even as a newly constructed hostel for ST/SC girls remains unused on the premises.
The existing hostel was constructed in 2012 for the girls coming from remote areas. The keys of the hostel were handed over to the college authorities by Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) only this academic year, said college Principal Abani Kanta Kahanra.
But, the SC/ST girls have not occupied the hostel as without financial support of agencies like ITDA, they fear that they may have to pay for the mess and boarding charges.
The new building is, however, meant for all girls irrespective of their caste. This led to hope among the people that there would be a good response from the students to stay in the hostel even by paying some charges, Principal added.
The new hostel, estimated to cost Rs 5 crore, was sanctioned by the Department of Higher Education while Roads and Buildings Department is the executing agency. It is being built adjacent to the non-functional hostel building. The space being used for another hostel could have been utilised for construction of classrooms and other recreation rooms, the parents said.
The land and main building, where the college functions, are yet to be handed over to the college authorities by the Panchayati Raj Department. The official papers are still in the name of Panchayat Bhavan, said the Principal adding that they have requested the district administration to transfer the ownership to the college.
Executive Engineer, Roads and Buildings, SK Panda said State-wide tender was invited by Chief Engineer for the construction of such buildings and Koraput was awarded three hostel buildings. Of the three, one is being constructed on the Women’s College premises.