Ranchi, Dec. 24: Students from Classes I to VIII read textbooks in dimly lit classrooms at a government middle school in Chadri, a stone's throw from the district headquarters here. The lights do not work as electricity supply to this school had been disconnected around five years ago owing to unpaid bills.
Established in 1880, the 136-year-old government school spread over 16 decimal land owes JUVNL, the state power board, Rs 19,416, which had been pending for the last five years, local residents said. The district education department has failed to clear the outstanding dues and hence the power connection was snapped.
As a result, 79 students of the school with four teachers have been studying without electricity for so many years. In the absence of power, four computer sets and a projector machine have also been gathering dust.
Though the school had requested the education department several times to clear the dues so that power could be restored, the latter was yet to do it. On December 14, the school had again shot off a letter to the office of the district superintendent of education for the same.
School principal Punam Sahay hopes that power supply will be restored soon. "To my knowledge, the school is running without power since 2012. I am very hopeful because the education department has already released funds for electric wiring," she added.
Students, all from poor families, are the worst sufferers.
"I remember that when we were in Class II, around six years ago, our school had electricity. But in the absence of power, specially during summer, it becomes really difficult for us to study inside classrooms due to heat. And during monsoon, it becomes all the more difficult as an overcast sky does not allow sufficient amount of light to enter the classrooms," said Kiran, a Class VIII student.
Jharkhand Parents' Association members said they would visit the school soon to take stock of the situation. "If a school situated in the heart of the city is running without basic facilities, then the situation of those in rural areas can be easily understood," said Ajay Rai, convener of the association.
Contacted, SDO, Upper Bazaar subdivision of JUVNL, Abhishek Kumar conceded that connection was snapped due to non-payment of outstanding bills. "The matter has been brought to my notice and the problem will be solved very soon. There are many other government schools, which have been given power connection," he added.
