Welfare hostels in pathetic condition

Srikakulam: Miserable conditions are prevailing at all social welfare hostels in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts. It was revealed in vigilance and enforcement official teams surprise inspections on Thursday.

Seven teams were formed comprising vigilance officials. Later, they inspected hostels and records at seven hostels in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts simultaneously.

Officials inspected social welfare boys’ hostels at Gullasitarampuram in Santhakaviti mandal, Kurigam in Kotturu mandal, Chapara in Meliaputti mandal, social welfare girls’ hostel in Kotturu mandal quarters in Srikakulam district.

Three teams conducted surprise inspections on social welfare boys’ hostels at Logisa in Gajapathinagaram mandal, Garbham in Merakamudidam mandal and Ramathirthalu in Nellimarla mandal in Vizianagaram district.

At Kotturu hostel, 86 students were there on rolls, as per attendance record 80 were present but physically only 64 appeared during the inspection. For 64 students, only 38 eggs and three litres milk were provided.

Safe drinking water was not available, therefore, children consuming unsafe bore water at the hostel. At Gullasitarampuram, hostel welfare officer was not available during the inspection. In all, 57 students were present in the hostel but only four bath rooms and four toilets catering to their needs.

Students are going out to answer nature’s call as the toilets were locked. Srikakulam regional vigilance and enforcement officer T HariKrishna, DSP K Bhargavrao Naidu, inspectors G Chandra, K Krishna, department technical officers VSSN Raju, S Trinadha Rao, RR Vidya Sagar, T Samuel Raju and staff conducted surprise checks at all hostels.

“We will send a report on conditions at social welfare hostels to the government for necessary steps”, Srikakulam regional vigilance and enforcement officer T HariKrishna told The Hans India.