Karnataka CM approves Rs 132 crore to provide shoes, socks to govt school students

BENGALURU : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said every student studying in government schools would be provided a pair of shoes and two sets of socks, and he has approved Rs 132 crore for that purpose. With no funds provided in the budget and a delay in the government's decision-making, the Bommai administration has been facing criticism on the issue of providing the shoes and socks.

“When it comes to uniforms, the government has already given its approval, they are getting ready, and will be distributed to students after a while. Today, I have approved Rs 132 crore for shoes and socks. We will give them. There’s no need to create confusion on this," Bommai told reporters here.

State school education minister BC Nagesh tweeted, "2022-23 for all students of class 1 to 10 of government schools. 132 crore has been approved by the State Government ₹ for purchase and distribution of 'Shoes and Socks' through School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMC)."

2022-23ನೇ ಸಾಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಶಾಲೆಗಳ 1 ರಿಂದ 10ನೇ ತರಗತಿಯ ಎಲ್ಲ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳಿಗೆ
ಶಾಲಾಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಮತ್ತು ಮೇಲ್ವಿಚಾರಣಾ ಸಮಿತಿಗಳ (ಎಸ್‌ಡಿಎಂಸಿ) ಮೂಲಕ 'ಶೂ ಮತ್ತು ಸಾಕ್ಸ್' ಖರೀದಿಸಿ, ವಿತರಿಸಲು ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ₹132 ಕೋಟಿ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಗೆ ಅನುಮೋದನೆ ನೀಡಿದೆ. @CMofKarnataka

— B.C Nagesh (@BCNagesh_bjp) July 8, 2022

There are over 50 lakh students studying in government schools in Karnataka. Opposition Congress has been criticising the government after School Education and Literacy Minister B C Nagesh reportedly said children do not go to schools for shoes and socks. Earlier today, State Congress president D K Shivakumar said he would raise money for the shoes and socks by begging.

Also Read | Chhattisgarh schools to go 'bagless' on Saturdays

In other news, state's Dakshina Kannada district administration has declared local holiday to all educational institutions on July 8 and 9, in the wake of torrential rains. According to an order issued by the Deputy Commissioner of the coastal district, the meteorology department has issued a red alert warning and forecast heavy rains in the district. Owing to the alert, the district authorities announced holiday on Friday and Saturday for Angawadi Kendras, schools and colleges. Parents are requested to ensure that their children do not get close to low-lying areas or waterbodies like lakes, ponds and sea.