ANANTAPUR: Why are ACB sleuths conducting raids on the social welfare hostels in Anantapur is one question that is bothering people of the district. The answer of the ACB officials is simple, the number of officials of these hostels indulging in corrupt practices is high.
According to ACB Inspector K Pratap Reddy, they first raided the BC Welfare Hostel at Nuthimadugu in Kalyandurg last year, where there were discrepancies pertaining to number of students, facilities being provided and funds utilised.
Following it, the ACB has been closely monitoring the functioning of welfare hostels in the district. Based on reliable information, it has been conducting raids quite frequently.
In Anantapur district, there are 194 social welfare hostels and out of which 108 are BC welfare hostels and 76 SC welfare hostels. The total number of students as per the records is 15,120.
The field level officials, who were supposed to inspect these hostels frequently, were reported to be hand in glove with these wardens, hence the true picture of the extent of corruption in the social welfare hostels cannot be assessed accurately.
“Our hotel warden rarely turns up and even the few occasions he comes, he is least bothered about the welfare of students. Even when we are sick, no medical aid is provided and we are forced to go to our village and get treated,” said K Obulapathi of SC Hostel Number 3.
The situation is no different in Social Welfare Girls’ Hostels. B Saroja says in her hostel there are 130 girls, but the number of rooms are very limited and in those limited number of rooms, many girls have to adjust in the available space.
“Food they provide is very bad. The rice is of very low quality and the quality of the curry is bad. Shortage of drinking water is another big problem,” she said.
AISF district secretary K Johnson said negligence of the government with regard to running of welfare hostels was evident.