Bengal govt allows schools to use unused funds to buy uniforms from MSMEs

New Delhi, Feb 21 (KNN) Bengal state government has issued an SOP, saying ready-made uniforms for students from the pre-primary level to Class VIII at government and aided schools would be delivered by the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) department by mid-June.

The state government had allowed reopening of schools for students from the pre-primary level to Class VII from February 16. The campuses had remained shut for the students of these classes since March 2020.

The government this year decided to get ready-made uniforms delivered through the MSME, panchayat or rural development department, instead of transferring funds to the schools to procure them.

The need to provide uniforms at the earliest became imperative as students have outgrown their uniforms made more than two years ago and are turning up in casuals in school.

“The MSME department will procure the fabric for school uniforms and prestigious assignment for production and supply of school uniforms would be executed through SHG (self-help group) institutions only for the students of the schools (rural and urban) under school education department,” says an order that was sent to all district magistrates.

Stitching of uniforms will start in the third week of March. “Delivery of uniforms to the schools will commence from mid-April and will be completed by mid-June,” the order says. (KNN Bureau)