Kashipur: Uncertainty continues to loom over the opening of the Eklavya Model Residential School in Kashipur block headquarters, even 16 months after its foundation stone was laid. The foundation ceremony was held on January 20, 2024, in the presence of then Union Tribal Affairs Minister Bishweswar Tudu and BJP leader and Sundargarh MP Jual Oram. Former Rayagada MLA Makaranda Muduli, along with local and district-level administrative officials, party workers, and the general public, also attended the event.
The proposal for establishing an Eklavya Residential School in the tribal-dominated Kashipur block was widely welcomed. Former MLA Mr. Muduli and BJP leader Kaliram Majhi, along with locals, had expressed gratitude to the Union Minister and the MP. The school aims to provide free quality education from Class 6 to 12 to tribal students in the region.
A budget of ₹20 crore was estimated for the school’s construction, with facilities to accommodate 360 students. It was announced that work would begin immediately upon allocation of government land. Though 40 acres of land had been identified for the school at the block headquarters, construction work has yet to commence, leading to growing public dissatisfaction.
When contacted, Kashipur WEO A.K. Sahu stated that 40 acres of land near the Kashipur ICDS farm have been earmarked for the project. However, due to unspecified reasons, there has been a delay in the tender process for construction.
Meanwhile, locals are now demanding that the Eklavya school be opened from the current academic year itself.