The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Erode News : Thatched roofs removed from 59 schools

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Saturday, Jul 24, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Erode

Thatched roofs removed from 59 schools

By Our Staff Reporter

ERODE, JULY 23. Fifty-nine schools, which include higher secondary, high schools, primary and matriculation schools, in the district removed the thatched roofs today.

Following the Kumbakonam fire accident, which claimed the lives of 93 children, the Collector, D. Karthikeyan, issued orders to remove the roofs on or before July 30. The school authorities started replacing them with fire-proof sheds and a few schools have started constructing concrete buildings.

The Education Department officials said that the process of removing of the roofs would be completed by August 1.

Meanwhile, the Palani Parliamentary constituency MP, S.K. Karvendan, announced granting of Rs. 2 crores from the MP's Constituency Development fund for the schools development and construction of new buildings.

Condoling the death of the children, the Erode hotel owners observed a hartal today and all the hotels and tea shops downed their shutters. Various trading associations also observed a mourning day today. In Dharapuram also all the shops and business establishments remained closed.

Our Staff Reporter writes from Krishnagiri:

The Collector, Mangat Ram Sharma, has said that over 100 government schools in the district would be replaced with fire-proof materials immediately.

Speaking at a mock fire safety drill programme organised by the district administration at the Nalanda Matriculation Higher Secondary school today, he said the administration has sanctioned Rs.15 lakhs towards the construction.

He said that around 250 noon meal centres would be constructed at government schools at a cost of Rs. 1.25 crores and as many as 100 classrooms would also be constructed in the district at an outlay of Rs. 4 crores.

The Collector said that there is an urgent need to shift from react, relief and rehabilitation approach to more of proactive and preventive approach when there is a big disaster. He said that the general public should be trained to be more reactive as they were the first respondents in any emergency situation or a major fire accident. A culture of preparedness and preventiveness should be developed during any emergency situation.

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