The BBMB DAV School Bachao Joint Action Committee, Talwara, has strongly opposed any proposal to transfer the management of BBMB DAV Public School, Talwara, to a private institution. The committee has warned that it will launch an agitation if such a decision is implemented.
Committee Meeting and Warnings
A meeting of the committee was convened under the leadership of convener Rohit Dadwal and member Avtar Krishna, with Prof Harsh Mehta conducting the proceedings. Addressing the gathering, Dadwal and Krishna emphasized that the school has been receiving financial support from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) for the past 50 years, and this arrangement must continue. They asserted that any attempt to withdraw financial assistance or change the school's management would not be tolerated by the local populace.
Allegations of Discrimination
Committee members questioned why BBMB was reportedly considering ending support for the Talwara school when BBMB DAV Public School in Nangal and BBMB DAV Public School in Sundernagar continue to receive financial aid. They termed the reported move discriminatory and stated that it had sparked resentment among residents of the Kandi region.
Historical Context and Purpose
The committee noted that the school was established on land donated by local residents during the construction of the Bhakra project. It was founded to provide quality education to the children of BBMB employees as well as students from economically weaker families in surrounding rural areas. The members maintained that handing over the school to a private organization would undermine the institution's original mission and the public interest.
Appeal to BBMB Officials
The committee appealed to BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi and BBMB Pong Dam Chief Engineer Rakesh Gupta to continue financial support and maintain the existing management structure. Warning of a broader protest, the committee stated that if any unilateral decision is taken, parents, local residents, employees, and various social and political organizations would launch a peaceful democratic movement.
Attendees
Among those present at the meeting were Harsh Mehta, Ramesh Sharma, Kiran Dogra, Bishan Dass Sandhu, Naveen Kumar, Kapil Kumar, Dinesh Kumar, Inderpal Singh, Pyara Singh, Vijay Kumar, and Sushil Chaudhary.
