Irregularities alleged in running seasonal hostels
Alleged irregularities have surfaced in running the seasonal hostels which were set up across the district for children of migrants. The state government had sanctioned Rs 1 crore for setting up seasonal hostels in the district. As per norms, each seasonal hostel has to impart education to migrant children for 3 to 6 months based on their ability to grasp knowledge
Mahabubnagar: Alleged irregularities have surfaced in running the seasonal hostels which were set up across the district for children of migrants. The state government had sanctioned Rs 1 crore for setting up seasonal hostels in the district. As per norms, each seasonal hostel has to impart education to migrant children for 3 to 6 months based on their ability to grasp knowledge. During the course, seasonal hostels should provide food and accommodation free of cost for children.
The Telangana government issued a GO on November 14, 2014, for setting up seasonal hostels. Based on the GO, officials of the Rajiv Vidya Mission (RVM) gave instructions to Mandal Educational Officers (MEOs) to send the list of children belonging to migrants. The MEOs forwarded the list to RVM officials after voluntary organisations conducted a survey to verify whether children belong to migrant parents or not.
The state government decided to hand over the responsibility of running seasonal hostels to voluntary organisations. overnment earmarked Rs 66,700 per month to each voluntary organisation for appointment of two teachers, support staff, for accommodation and imparting education to children. Forty one voluntary organisations have submitted their applications to the district officials expressing their willingness to run seasonal hostels.
The then District Collector instructed officials to hand over the responsibility of running seasonal hostels to all 41 charitable organisations. In the first phase, seasonal hostels were sanctioned to 29 charities. The RVM Project Officer gave orders to start seasonal hostels from February 15 onwards. Only a few seasonal hostels were opened on February 15 with less than 15 students. Even among those students, not all students belong to migrants.
It is learnt that some voluntary organisations have admitted children, who are at home, in seasonal hostels to inflate numbers. While some other voluntary organisations are collecting money from the government by showing more students in their hostels. There are allegations that officials have handed over the responsibility to voluntary organisations by colluding with them. Even the officials concerned failed to give advertisements inviting voluntary organisations for running seasonal hostels.
