NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Wednesday highlighted the Rajasthan government’s plan to construct new buildings for 300 dilapidated government schools, with Rs 409 crore earmarked for the project.Reacting to the announcement, Dipke tagged CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and posted on X, “CJP Impact in Rajasthan, Well done Ashu and team!”However, Dipke’s claim appears to contradict the Rajasthan government’s earlier announcement to repair dilapidated government schools, which came before the CJP launched its ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign. The government had already allocated Rs 409 crore for the repair work.The state education department has identified 3,768 school buildings as unsafe for academic activities following a statewide survey that found them dilapidated or structurally unfit.Officials said the schools would be rebuilt in phases, with 300 new buildings planned in the first phase.Proposals for the reconstruction of another 960 schools have been sent to NABARD and are awaiting approval, while work on 418 schools is already underway under other schemes.CJP inspections of Rajasthan schoolsRanka had earlier said the organisation would continue visiting schools across different districts to highlight infrastructure and maintenance-related shortcomings.The CJP’s inspections have also prompted a response from the state education department.On Sunday, the department issued an order restricting outsiders from entering government school premises without prior permission from the principal. The order also prohibits photography, videography and interviews with students without approval, citing concerns over children’s privacy.The order empowers principals to ask unauthorised visitors to leave the premises and, with police assistance, initiate action under applicable laws.Ranka challenges education ministerRanka had challenged school education minister Madan Dilawar to identify 10 government schools with the best infrastructure built during his tenure. He said the CJP team would visit the schools and publicise their facilities.Earlier, Ranka said the organisation had received requests from nine districts to inspect unsafe or poorly maintained schools.
