State to conduct inquiry on ice skating rink

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

The State Education Minister Arvind Pandey stoked another row while dubbing the ice skating rink at Maharana Pratap Sports College campus a ‘mausoleum’. “Funds were squandered away over its construction and some involved in it become rich. However, the State has got nothing out of it.

He further said that state would set up an inquiry into it. Interestingly, the ice skating rink had come up during the time Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ was heading the BJP Government in the State. The Minister, however, refrained from naming anyone.

Talking about the sports scenario in the state, he said that they were looking forward to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to recognise the Uttarakhand Cricket Association. Afghanistan Cricket Board has shown interest in making Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium (RGICS) as its home ground and many international cricket matches would be held there in the coming days. state government is promoting athletics in the State. “The 800 metres (male and female) competitions would soon be held at the block, district and state levels in February.

Questioning over his achievements of last 10 months as Minister, he said that he had no landmark achievement made during this time to show. “However, I am resolved to better things in the realm of education, sports and rural development through the panchayats,” he said, adding that an act is on the anvil to stop the private schools from fleecing the parents while hiking admission and tuition fees arbitrarily.

He further said that the transfer act involving the teachers would be implemented strictly and teachers would be sent to the schools, particularly to those located in the mountainous parts of the State. “I am committed to supply books as suggested by National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) in all the schools of the State from the next academic session.

The process of tenders for printing NCERT books is complete and the books would be made available in February. Besides, the students would be provided with food under mid-meal scheme through satellite kitchen system. Bhojan Matas would continue to work in the schools while they would be engaged in other works of the schools. I would further ensure that classes are held for 220 days in every Government school,” he said.