Chhattisgarh asked to return building meant for Sainik School

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh government’s recent move to open a medical college in Ambikapur in a newly constructed building at MendraKalan, which was originally meant for a Sainik School, has run into rough waters with Union defence ministry objecting to the state government move.
Public works department (PWD), which had constructed the building, had handed it over to medical education department following a state government order (October 22, 2014) for starting a medical college.
State government had, in fact, recently sought permission from Medical Council of India to start 100 MBBS seats for the ensuing academic session.
The defence ministry has, however, asked government to rescind its order and hand over the building to Sainik School.
According to sources, minister of state for defence, Rao Inderjit Singh, had written to chief minister Raman Singh about this last month.
The letter (copy available with TOI) categorically states that the sudden decision to transfer the building to medical education department for opening a medical school is ‘demoralising’ for Sainik School Ambikapur students and its staff.
Rao Inderjit has also stated that in its short span, the Sainik School Ambikapur, despite all odds, has become synonymous with quality in education.
Interestingly, though Rao Inderjit wrote this letter in December, state government is yet to take a decision. Gulsher Khan, member of the local body of Sainik School administration, said currently they are operating from a building that was earlier a tribal hostel. He said the building and the infrastructure there is inadequate for running %a school.
"Government had signed the MoU with defence ministry in 2008 and as per agreement the building was to be completed in three years.
The delay in construction and government decision to hand it over to medical education department has been detrimental to the school's growth," Khan said.