G.O. (Ms.) No.64, School Infrastructure Development Scheme 2022-23

What the government order covers

The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (SGS.1) Department's G.O. (Ms.) No.64, dated 20 April 2023, approves the School Infrastructure Development Scheme for 2022-2023. The scheme supports the maintenance and renovation of existing infrastructure in Panchayat Union Primary Schools and Panchayat Union Middle Schools in rural and urban areas.

The order records that these schools are the property of the Panchayat Unions concerned. It also states that Panchayat Unions are responsible for maintaining their infrastructure under Section 112 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994.

Funding and approved works

Administrative sanction is granted for Rs.194.65 crore. The approved programme covers 8,824 works in 3,195 schools located in villages selected under Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam II for 2022-2023.

The approved work totals are:

• 4,656 repairs to existing school buildings, costing Rs.17,044.31 lakh.
• 2,522 repairs to existing toilets, costing Rs.1,302.84 lakh.
• 149 repairs to existing water supply facilities, costing Rs.193.89 lakh.
• 1,497 repairs to existing kitchen sheds, costing Rs.924.63 lakh.

The Commissioner of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj may use funds already released under the two school grant fund heads identified in the order.

School selection and safeguards

The School Infrastructure Development Scheme guidelines require coverage of Panchayat Union Primary Schools and Panchayat Union Middle Schools in 2,544 Village Panchayats identified for Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam II during 2022-2023. Eligible schools located in urban areas may also be included.

Key requirements include:

• Every covered school campus must be inspected for repair needs involving classrooms, kitchen sheds, toilets and water supply.
• A structural stability certificate must be obtained from the Assistant Executive Engineer concerned before repairing or renovating an existing building.
• Work may be taken up only where repair and renovation have not been carried out under another scheme during the previous five years.
• Repairs to existing toilets are listed first in the stated order of priority.
• Photographs before, during and after every work are mandatory.

Who is affected

The order directly concerns Panchayat Unions, the Commissioner of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, district authorities and the covered schools. It addresses publicly owned school infrastructure and does not state any change to private land ownership or private property rights.