*Sheet Fencing works had been undertaken by Govt Primary to block children from directly viewing the drinkers from School premises
Goemkarponn Desk
CANACONA: In a trivial of injustice to the deserving, Bar owners at Chaudi(Canacona) took objection to the Sarva-Shiksha Abhiyan’s Sheet-Fencing between a Primary School and Bars/establishments at the commercial hub of Chaudi.
Interestingly, on Tuesday (Independence Day) some of the Bars and establishment owners stopped the workmen from completing sheet-fencing works being carried out between the Government Primary School, Chaudi, located since Portuguese –era just behind the recently renovated ADEI Office.
Incidentally, in an adjacent building, some two Bars-N-Restaurants, besides few other shops also faces towards the school and ADEI office. The Bar customers reportedly keeps their liquor-filled glasses and also sits on the compound-wall, in direct view and arms distance of the school children.
According to sources, feelling the young minds are getting distracted by the direct view of liquor drinkers even from the classrooms, the teachers and the parents raised concerns with the ward councilor and CMC Chairperson Ramakant Naik Gaunkar who assured to help in the matter.
However, Gaonkar’s efforts failed to yield any results and the municipality found the works expensive. However, as the school headmistress Gita Loliemkar has also put a proposal, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan approved the funds and the works were commenced on Tuesday.
The Bar owners however directed the workers to stop the work, citing the free-flow of Air/ventilation to the Bar will be blocked if a sheet fencing is erected infront of the Bars, and even started at signature campaign, to state the fencing would be illegal and blocks the natural ventilation.
A few concerned residents came in support of the school children and tried to give justice to the young children who are being literarily harassed by the site of drunkers and other bar customers.
Babesh Borkar informed it is illegal to permit a liquor shop within 100 metres of a school, the temple of learning. ‘But how these liquor shop owners got the permission to set up liquor shops such a close proximity of school is itself a a question to wonder’
‘on one hand the bar owners are allowing its customers to sit out of the bars and consume liquor in open, which is illegal at the first place, how can they term the sheet fencing is illegible?’, informed another resident Sanjay Komarpant.
Incidentally, after the Bar owners started a signature campaign to remove the iron sheet fencing claiming to be a hindrance, some former students of this government school approached Excise Inspector to give understanding to these bars and inform their limits. The ex-students and residents demanded that the Sheets should be installed across the low-lying compound wall to block the direct view of liquor Drinkers to the school children and others.
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