Report by OrissaDiary.com bureau; Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik thanks union minister Mukul Wasnik for his support to establishment of hostels for scheduled caste boys and girls in the state.

Patnaik in a letter said, " I thank you for your intervention in the scheme of maintenance and management of SC Giris and Boys hostels under the centraily sponsored scheme "Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana" and under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan. You will be glad to know that hostels have been constructed following the guidelines issued by the Ministry during the month of October, 2009."

Patnaik urges Wasnik to release one-time grant towards essential furniture and kitchen equipments.

Text of the letter:
Dear Shri Wasnikji,
I thank you for your intervention in the scheme of maintenance and management of SC Giris and Boys hostels under the centraily sponsored scheme "Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana" and under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan. You will be glad to know that hostels have been constructed following the guidelines issued by the Ministry during the month of October, 2009.

Necessary budget provision is being made every year in the State budget under State Plan and Non-Plan in order to meet the recurring expenditure of the hostel buildings. Hostels are being maintained properly with proper upkeep being done by the attendants engaged by the institutions. One toilet for every 10 students along with dining and kitchen rooms, over head water tanks and ground water recharge pits have been provided in the hostels. Internal electrification of hostel rooms has been made. Boundary walls have been constructed for the safety of girl students. Lady teachers/wardens have been deployed in each girls' hostel. Quarters for warden have been constructed near each girls' hostel for the accommodation of wardens. An inspection programme for the district level inspecting and supervising officers has also been chalked out for inspection of hostel under the leadership of DWOs ADWOs / WEOs. Welfare Extension Officers of all districts have also been instructed to inspect the hostels in the 15' week of every month to discuss about the activities related to hostels. Collectors have been asked to ensure the visit of Medical
Officers / Para Medical Staff to the hostel in order to avoid incidents of health hazards, adulteration of food, snakebites, malaria, etc. All possible steps have been taken for supply of wholesome and nutritious food to the boarders. Committees under the Chairmanship of District Collectors have been constituted for overall supervision ofhostels. Besides, a series of instructions have been issued from time to time to the field functionaries for proper maintenance of hostels.

I look forward to your continuous support in strengthening the infrastructure for education of SC boys and girls in my State. I would further suggest that while sanctioning hostels for SC students from the Ministry, one time grant may be released towards essentiai furniture and kitchen equipments.
With regards,
( NAVEEN PATNAIK)