DHARMAPURI: After TNIE recently reported on the poor conditions of the Panchayat Union Primary School (PUPS) and drinking water-related issues in Karapadi tribal village in Harur block, the district administration on Tuesday installed two water tanks and served memos to the school headmaster and an anganwadi worker, besides initiating multiple departmental inquiries in connection with the issues.
TNIE, in an article titled "Tribal school in dire straits as rats roam free in noon-meal kitchen" published on these pages last Friday (June 12), reported that the PUPS lacked basic amenities such as drinking water for students and the unhygienic state of the noon-meal kitchen and the store room. The report also mentioned a lack of water supply infrastructure in the tribal village as the open well in the locality lacked a motor. Besides, the anganwadi was allegedly dysfunctional and the headmaster had taken leave without informing respective higher officials.
Following the article, Dharmapuri Collector V Saravanan ordered multiple departmental inquiries regarding the issues. Several district officials from the rural development, school education department, tribal welfare department, anganwadi, and the noon-meal scheme rushed to the village and conducted inspections.
DRDA Project Director J Rooban Sankar Raj told TNIE that a new motor was installed for the open well and the water connection for the school toilet would be fixed by the end of this week. Schoolteacher C Kumaresan said that two new water tanks, with 1,000-litre and 500-litre capacities, were installed in the locality, and welcomed the swift action taken by the district administration. The teacher, however, added that the school is yet to receive a ceiling fan.
Anganwadi Project Officer S Pavithra told TNIE that a memo has been issued to the respective anganwadi worker over the alleged irregularities. Harur Block Education Officer (in-charge) C Madhammal said a memo was served to the school headmaster, K Thirumal, and the issues at the school would be monitored closely.
An official from the noon-meal programme said that the kitchen in the school, when the officials conducted an inspection on Friday, was in a hygienic condition.