Rautahat, October 14

Though 10 years have passed since the contractors agreed to construct the hostel block of Gaur-based Juddha Higher Secondary School, the fourth oldest school in Nepal, it still remains incomplete today, largely due to the negligence on the part of the contractors.

As per the original agreement, the contractors were supposed to complete the construction of the three-storied 51-rooms building in 2008. The government of India had then generously contributed Rs 29.5 million for the construction of the building, meant for students from distant areas.

According to school sources, Kathmandu-based Gorkha, Sky and Canon construction companies had jointly signed the contract. Although the contractors had agreed to complete the construction within three years, the stakeholders had expressed unwillingness.

The under construction structure is said to have been left half way due to gross negligence on the part of the contractor as well as the administration.

A large number of students who hailed from various locations of the country to study at the higher secondary school have been compelled to look for their own apartment/rooms to rent.

As per the contract, three of the four old hostel blocks, were demolished expecting the construction of the new structures to take off immediately. During this period, water leaked from the ceiling of the old block thus causing the hostel students to find new accommodations.

Then Indian ambassador to Nepal Shiva Shankar Mukherjee had laid the foundation stone of the hostel and canteen building in 2006. Sadly, the support from southern neighbour has gone in vain.

After the contractors fled, District Development Committee on the recommendation of District Technical Office scrapped the contract. With the nullification of the contract, it is uncertain at this point of time whether the construction will be completed.“Due to a lack of responsibility on the part of DDC and negligence on the part of contractors,students have been deprived of hostel facility.

Bijay Kishor Jha, former head teacher and Chairperson of Senior Citizen’s Association, said that the school administration and the DDC should take initiatives to complete the structures without further delay. He demanded that DDC should take responsibility for the failure and stern action should be taken against the contractor.

Local Development Officer Umesh Basnet pledged to take necessary steps at the earliest.