Mysuru: Responding positively to the appeal by Mysuru Grahakara Parishat (MGP) and Administrative Board of 108-year-old Vontikoppal Government High School and the Government Higher Primary School to protect the Government Schools, Union Minister of State for Railways and Water Resources V. Somanna has assured that he has already discussed the issue with the Railway officials and will soon take a suitable decision. He added that he will not allow the closure of  the Government Schools.

The MGP delegation which met the Minister yesterday had apprised him about the ongoing construction works from the Railway Department which are threatening the very existence of these two Government Schools and sought the Minister’s intervention in  this connection.

“I was also a student of Government School and I will not allow the closure of the Government School which has a history of 108 years. I am aware of the reports published in Star of Mysore about the ongoing construction works of multi-storied housing complex, indoor stadium, auditorium adjacent to the two schools. I had already discussed the issue with the railway officials and a suitable decision will be taken soon,” Somanna said.

MGP members and Administrative Board of the two schools submitted a memorandum to the Minister. The MGP delegation  said that the ongoing construction works pose a danger to the future of over 200 students who are studying there and  also appealed the Minister to grant two acres of land surrounding the school compound which belongs to the Railway Department. 

Minister Somanna asked MLAs  T.S. Srivatsa and K. Harishgowda to give him a representation regarding the schools.

MLA K. Harishgowda also spoke on the occasion and said that he will hold discussions with Railway officials in this connection.

MGP member D.V.  Dayanand  Sagar and members of the administrative board of the two Government Schools were present.