Encroachment of prime land in Teynampet, worth Rs10 crore, has deprived corporation school students a playground. For the past 20 years, there has been no playground for Chennai high school, located on Eldams Road, Vanniya Teynampet.
“Though the school initially had the playground, later it was encroached upon,” RTI activist R. Natarajan, also a research scholar of M.K. University, said.
“The RTI revealed that seven grounds, worth more than Rs10 crore, have been encroached upon. Physical education is a must for students and it’s been denied for them. A playground is mandatory for running a school and in this case the school initially had the playground. It seems there’s political pressure and this encroachment continues to be there on the playground and it is highly objectionable,” activist rued.
It shows the negligence on the part of Chennai corporation. Inspectors of schools have not carried out inspections for more than 15 years, alleged Mr Natarajan, whose original petition was moved on March 26 asking for information about the playground and he again moved another petition with the government secretary, education department.
He added, “The G.O. 2D15 School Education dated March 6, 2002 and Dr S.V. Chitti Babu committee report specifically state about the playground and it is mandatory to run a school.”
The RTI further revealed that 17 houses were allotted by slum clearance board at that place temporarily until they get allotment.
A senior corporation official confirmed the encroachment to DC. “We’ve received complaints regarding this, but action has to be taken by the local corporation zonal officer.” Efforts to contact the corporation’s Teynampet zonal officer proved futile.