Collector orders demolition of 30 school buildings in Malappuram

District Collector V.R. Vinod has ordered the demolition of 30 school buildings, which are in precarious condition. The demolition has been ordered under the Disaster Management Act on the basis of a report by the Deputy Director of Education (DDE).

Mr. Vinod told a District Development Committee (DDC) meeting here on Saturday (July 26) that he would hold discussions with the DDE and Public Works department officials soon.

The buildings have to be demolished within a month after completing the evaluation and tender processes.

MLAs P. Ubaidullah, T.V. Ibrahim, Kurukkoli Moideen, P. Abdul Hameed, Abid Husain Thangal, Additional District Magistrate N.M. Meharali, District Planning Officer P.D. Joseph, and representatives of MPs attended the meeting.

Mr. Ibrahim presented a resolution against the alleged diversion of the Calicut International Airport’s corporate environmental responsibility (CER) funds for purposes other than the mitigation of local environmental issues. A good chunk of the airport’s CER funds were diverted to a senior citizen model village in Dharmadom, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s constituency, he alleged.

Mr. Ubaidullah seconded the resolution. The Collector assured that he would take up the matter with the Airports Authority of India.

District Medical Officer R. Renuka said that infectious diseases, including dengue, were on the rise in the district. However, bolstered preventive measures could check the death rate, she said.

Mr. Vinod said that caterers would be advised to discontinue serving iced welcome drinks at events to help prevent the spread of jaundice.

Mr. Hameed said that the district should have healthcare facilities proportionate to its population. He pointed out that owing to lack of adequate facilities at the Government Medical College Hospital, Manjeri, patients were being referred to the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode.

The KSEB will hold a meeting on July 29 as part of its drive to reduce power-related accidents in the district. KSEB officials will also conduct inspections to ensure that safety measures are in place, particularly on school premises.