Integrated Residential Schools project: Dy CM Bhatti assures timely payments, says no funds shortage

Hyderabad: Speaking about the State government’s Integrated Residential Schools project, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu said there is no shortage of funds for the project and the bill payments have been streamlined.

Streamlined bill payments

Addressing potential concerns regarding project delays and funding, the Deputy CM, on Monday, provided assurances to contractors and officials regarding the payment process:

1. Bi-monthly payments: To ensure continuous progress, the government has decided to pay bills every 15 days.

2. Sufficient funding: He clarified that there is no shortage of funds for this ‘Dream Project’ and the financial pipeline is fully secured.

3. Accountability: Collectors have been directed to take stern action against contractors who fail to commence work within 15 days of signing the agreement.

Strict completion calendar and quality control

The Deputy CM set a firm timeline to ensure the majority of these schools are operational by the next academic year. Key directives include:

1. Work calendar: A detailed, phase-wise completion calendar must be finalised for every construction site.

2. Ground-level supervision: District Collectors are mandated to conduct weekly reviews and perform a physical site inspection at least once a month.

3. Third-party quality checks: To maintain high construction standards, a third-party agency will be appointed to conduct on-site quality audits before payments are processed.

Fostering social integration

Bhatti Vikramarka highlighted the social vision behind the project.

He noted that previously, SC, ST, BC and Minority residential schools functioned in isolation. “By bringing students from all communities together under one roof, our government is sending a powerful message of unity to the world. We are bridging the gaps created by societal divisions through integrated education,” he stated.

Call to action for collectors

Collectors were urged to resolve any local land disputes or administrative hurdles by coordinating immediately with the CCLA, the Chief Secretary or local MLAs.

The Chief Secretary has been tasked with collecting weekly progress reports from all districts to ensure the project remains on track.

The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking during a video conference with district collectors and the chief secretary from Praja Bhavan, emphasising that schools are designed to provide international standards of education to students.