Raipur: Classroom ceiling collapses during Congress MLA's inspection

RAIPUR: Call it a mere coincidence or lucky escape for students, part of a roof at a school in Raipur's Amapara region caved in when Congress legislator from Raipur West Vikas Upadhyaya went there for inspection. The MLA had a narrow escape while no children were present in the class either.
Upadhyaya attacked the previous BJP-ruled government over the incident and said that the new school building constructed under DMF funds for students was being used for Patwari training purpose while the children were forced to continue at the dilapidated building.

On Tuesday, the Raipur West MLA had gone to inspect a municipal-run primary school as part of routine tour in his constituency. He had just entered a classroom that was empty when a huge chunk of roof suddenly collapsed in front of him.
While everyone including Upadhyaya escaped unhurt, the legislator fumed over the poor construction quality of the school building.
Talking to TOI, MLA Upadhyaya said, "The school was built by previous BJP government around seven to eight years ago. Looking at the condition of the school building, it is a clear case of corruption. Fortunately, there was no child inside the classroom as they had gone for outdoor activity when the part of roof caved in."
He added, "The previous BJP government had claimed that a new building was constructed for students under DMF funds but never shifted them there. Instead, the building is now being used for training purpose, which is illegal."
Upadhyaya said that he had earlier alerted the previous government about the condition of building and had requested shifting of the children.
He added that he had ordered for the same after becoming MLA but action wasn't taken, which is why he went on visit.
Later, Upadhyaya broke open the locks of the new building and shifted the students and teachers there.
He arranged basic requirements including drinking water and shifting of benches to the new building. All this was done in front of parents who were assured about the safety of children.
One of the parents Ramashanakar Sahu said, "In fear that the dilapidated building might collapse, I had not been sending my child to school since monsoon arrived. There were other classrooms in similar conditions in the school building."