CJP flags gaps in Rajasthan tribal schools, seeks fund audit

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has raised concerns over the lack of basic infrastructure in government tribal schools in Rajasthan’s Kherwara Assembly constituency, alleging that several schools do not have proper buildings, drinking water or other essential facilities.

A seven-member CJP team led by party co-convener Ashutosh Ranka visited schools in Demat, Pongli and Babari villages under Nayagaon tehsil on Sunday (September 20) as part of its ‘Adivasi School Thik Karo’ campaign.

Lack of basic facilities

The campaign focuses on government schools in tribal areas and comes soon after the CJP’s wider ‘School Thik Karo’ drive.

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During the visit, the team alleged that land had been allotted for schools at some locations but buildings were yet to come up. At schools that are functioning, the team claimed, students were still facing problems with drinking water, classrooms and other basic facilities.

Residents told the team that they had been contributing money from their own pockets to meet some of these requirements.

‘Why is there a lapse?’

The CJP, which joined hands with the Adivasi Ekta Parishad for the campaign, also questioned the utilisation of funds meant for tribal development. It alleged that around Rs 1,500 crore from the Tribal Area Development (TAD) budget had lapsed and demanded transparency on how the money was allocated and spent.

The party has demanded that vacant school plots be used to construct buildings, basic facilities be provided immediately and funds meant for tribal welfare and education be fully utilised.

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“Why is the government not explaining how the massive Rs 1,500 crore budget allocated for Tribal Area Development is lapsing?” a CJP representative asked, questioning why the money was not being used for tribal communities and their children’s education.

Adivasi school campaign

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced the Adivasi school campaign on September 16. The party plans to take it to tribal areas in Maharashtra, including Gadchiroli, as well as Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Odisha and Gujarat.

Dipke said the campaign would begin with basic infrastructure. He has also raised concerns over reports of classrooms meant for anganwadis being used for school classes.

The Rajasthan campaign also comes against the backdrop of an earlier confrontation involving CJP members during a government school inspection in Jaipur district. The party alleged that its team was attacked, while police said complaints were filed by both sides and FIRs were registered.

Ranka later alleged that Rajasthan Police was monitoring people entering and leaving his house. He said the campaign would continue despite the confrontation.