Jaipur: Days before Supreme Court questioned Rajasthan Housing Board’s move to divert the Pratap Nagar Coaching Hub from its intended academic purpose, Rajasthan govt initiated a proposal to allot one of the complex’s buildings to Jaipur Police for a control room and allied facilities.The proposal was cleared at a meeting of Urban Development and Housing (UDH) department despite having no apparent connection with education, the purpose for which the coaching hub was originally developed. The move has raised fresh questions over govt’s plans to repurpose public educational infrastructure for administrative functions.A senior UDH department official told TOI that govt required space for a control tower under AI-based Integrated Traffic Management System being implemented in Jaipur.“Initially, Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) was asked to allot a plot of land. However, during the recent meeting, the agencies agreed in principle to allot one building of the Pratap Nagar Coaching Hub for this facility. It was also decided that Jaipur Police would establish a few other facilities in the same building,” the official said.
What do you think about repurposing educational buildings for non-educational use?
3k+ users shared opinion today
5k+ users already voted today
3k+ users shared opinion today
Following Supreme Court’s observations Tuesday, officials in Rajasthan Housing Board (RHB) acknowledged that taking the proposal forward may now be difficult.Hearing the matter, the apex court observed that buildings created specifically to relocate coaching institutes were allegedly being allotted for other purposes. The bench said, “We make it clear that if any building has been specially earmarked and constructed for relocating coaching institutes or other educational institutions, any allotment or settlement made in favour of any other person shall be subject to the final orders passed in these proceedings.”Another official said govt could instead use the opportunity to shift coaching institutes from Gopalpura to Pratap Nagar hub, as originally envisaged. The proposed allotment is now under judicial scrutiny.
