Students left on verandah as contractor locks up school

As the doors remained locked, the teachers had to accommodate students in the verandah till officials pacified her and got her to open them.

Sources said Lakshmi (60) of Thellur in Vellore panchayat union limits had undertaken a Rs 1.92 lakh work to renovate the dilapidated elementary school building through tender. Though the work was completed six months ago, the panchayat officials failed to pay her the amount. After her repeated pleas failed to evoke any response from the officials, Lakshmi came to the school and locked up both doors to the building and went away with the keys. When they came for work on Monday morning, the school head and the two teachers were baffled to find the building locked. The school has 62 students in the elementary classes.

The teachers informed the education department officials about the matter, following which BEO Habibullah Rahman visited the spot. After he held talks with Lakshmi, she finally handed over the keys after which the building was opened. Till then students were seated in the verandah.