Shift ashramshala pupils by Aug 15, says minister

Nagpur: Tribal development minister Ashok Uike on Wednesday visited Gadchiroli ashramshala where three tribal girls died of snakebite earlier this week. He directed officials to shift students to a school with proper residential and educational facilities by Aug 15.Uike inspected the students’ sleeping arrangements, bedding, kitchen, drinking water and hygiene at Japatlai Ashramshala in Dhanora taluka before issuing the directive. He spoke to students about the incident and the facilities available at the ashramshala. “Student safety, health and education are govt’s highest priority,” Uike said.The minister ordered mesh screens to be installed at hostels to guard against snakes, scorpions and mosquitoes, and directed that grass and bushes around school and hostel premises be cleared regularly. Uike said that ashramshalas across the state will be inspected at least twice a year, with each visit photographically documented. Schools in remote areas, where a physical visit is not immediately possible, will be checked via online mode.Uike also met the parents of Anu Koreti, one of the three girls who died, and directed officials to give the family priority access to housing, forest land settlement and livelihood support schemes. He later visited Gadchiroli district hospital where other snakebite victims are under treatment. A total of six students were bitten by the krait snake, which led to the death of three, while the rest are in hospital. Earlier on Wednesday, Uike visited GMCH, Nagpur, to meet another victim.MLA Dr Milind Narote, additional tribal commissioner Ayushi Singh, Zilla Parishad CEO Suhas Gade and M Ramesh, SP (Gadchiroli), accompanied Uike during the visit.