Bhandara: Serious shortcomings in basic education and healthcare infrastructure across rural parts of Bhandara district have come under scrutiny following an inspection of several Zilla Parishad schools and primary health centres. Taking note of the poor conditions, Bhandara-Gondia MP Dr Prashant Padole has demanded a separate special financial package for the district to address urgent infrastructure and basic facility requirements.
The inspection covered Mohadura in Bhandara taluka, Neri, Wadgaon and Pandharabodi in Mohadi taluka, and Gaymukh and Ambagad in Tumsar taluka. District Zilla Parishad Education Committee Chairman Naresh Ishwarkar, Health Committee Chairman Anand Malewar, along with officials from the concerned departments, were present during the visit.
Damaged School Buildings Raise Safety Concerns
The inspection reportedly brought several infrastructure problems in rural schools to light. Some Zilla Parishad school buildings were found to have significant cracks and signs of deterioration, raising concerns about the safety and learning environment of students.
The lack of adequate toilets and sanitation facilities at several locations was also highlighted. The condition has raised questions over whether students in remote areas are receiving the basic facilities necessary for a safe and healthy educational environment.
Padole has called for immediate attention to such schools, particularly those where the condition of the buildings could pose a risk to students and staff.
Primary Health Centres Also Need Urgent Attention
The situation at some primary health centres was another major concern during the inspection. Poor cleanliness and a shortage of essential facilities were observed at certain locations.
For people living in rural areas, primary health centres often serve as the first point of access to government healthcare. Ensuring proper infrastructure, sanitation and essential services at these centres is therefore crucial, particularly for residents who have limited access to larger hospitals.
Questions Raised Over Quality of Mid-Day Meals
The inspection also brought complaints and irregularities concerning the quality of meals served to students under the mid-day meal scheme to the authorities' attention.
Since the scheme directly concerns the nutrition and health of schoolchildren, the issue requires regular monitoring, according to the concerns raised during the visit. Authorities have been urged to conduct proper inspections and take action wherever violations of prescribed standards are found.
Demand for Dedicated Funds for Bhandara
Padole has pointed out the contrast between spending on various government buildings and other projects and the shortage of basic infrastructure in rural schools and health centres.
He has therefore urged the government to treat the condition of rural education and healthcare facilities as a priority and provide a dedicated financial package for Bhandara district.
The proposed funding would help undertake repairs of damaged school and health-centre buildings, construct new facilities wherever necessary and provide essential amenities such as toilets, drinking water, sanitation and other basic infrastructure.
Technical Survey Sought Across Schools and Health Centres
The MP has also called for a technical survey of schools and primary health centres across the district to identify buildings requiring urgent repairs or reconstruction.
Facilities found to be unsafe should be repaired on priority, while buildings that cannot be restored should be considered for reconstruction. The demand also includes regular monitoring of mid-day meals to ensure that students receive food that meets the required quality standards.
Focus Shifts From Assurances to Implementation
The condition of rural education and healthcare infrastructure has made the issue one requiring immediate administrative attention. Safe school buildings, sanitation, drinking water and basic healthcare facilities are essential requirements for students and rural residents.
Padole has urged the government to take a concrete decision on the issue and release special funds for Bhandara district without further delay, so that necessary repair and infrastructure works can be taken up on the ground.
The demand now puts the focus on timely implementation rather than merely announcing measures, with the condition of rural schools and primary health centres expected to remain a key issue for the district administration.