Ullal: The Gram Sabha of the Belma Gram Panchayat held at Derlakatte on Tuesday July 15 witnessed heated debates between the villages as well as the  headmistress of the Derlakatte Government   High School over the  complaints that additional fee was collected from poor students of the school.

Earlier a villager named Sayyid complained regarding this and sought clarification from the Education Department. In the absence of the Education Department officials, the School Headmistress Geetha Shanbhog tried to give a clarification which was not satisfactory to the villagers.

Sayyid had earlier alleged that a fee of Rs 480 was collected from the students of the government school where education is free of cost. However, the headmistress said  funds are collected from students as well as donors for various school activities as the government grant is the same for  government schools immaterial of the student strength. She also said at times when students do not pay the fee, the teachers bear the same and sometimes donors too contribute. She also clarified that the fee is collected with approval of the SDMC.

Villagers however deplored the practice of collecting free from students of the school, majority of who come from poor families.

The meeting held at the Belma GP office grounds also discussed various civic problems like dumping of wastes in front of the GP office building, drainage problems in residential complexes, the  autorickshaw park issue etc.

Gram Panchayat President Gunavathi presided over the meeting.  Vijayalakshmi, Panchayat Vice President, Lalitha, Nodal Officer,  Pramod Kumar, Village Accountant  Shanthi, Panchayat’s in-charge Development Officer and others were present.