The school, which has long been dealing with management and revenue at the Fall, which is one of the main attractions of Pokhara, alleged that PTDC was plotting to snatch the Fall away from the school. [break]
Laxman Thapa, principal of the school, informed that a meeting of parents, officials, students, former students, representatives of political parties and locals on Tuesday decided to launch protests to bring the Fall completely under the school´s jurisdiction. Stating that the school had the support of 2,000 students, guardians and locals as well as political parties, Thapa also claimed that they would succeed in bringing the Fall back under the school.
David´s Fall in Pokhara-17 Chhorepatan has been overseen by the school for the last 35 years. The school has been earning Rs 4.5 million annually in fees collected from tourists visiting the site. Beside, the rent from 28 shop shutters at the site amounts to around Rs 10 million annually.
PTDC last month announced a tender to select a contractor for the collection of revenue at David´s Fall.
According to PTDC, three contractors have already submitted bid documents for the purpose. The school has accused PTDC of trying to hand over public property, which is being used for a social cause, to private hands under political influence.
“We are amazed and angry that PTDC has called a tender to select a contractor for David´s Fall,” said Principal Thapa after the meeting. “We have the right of usage of this public property and have been using it for 35 years for running the school. We will never let it go into private hands to serve some vested interests,” Thapa added, informing that the meeting has decided to stage any kind of protest needed to save the Fall.
Stating that the higher secondary school cannot run without the earnings from David´s Fall, Thapa said the sudden decision to lease out the Fall raised various question regarding PTDC´s motives. The meeting also formed a struggle committee for the purpose.
The school also alleged that PTDC, led by UCPN-Maoist activist Jit Bahadur Gurung, has been engaged in foul play to grant the tender to an activist of his own party. “Why are they suddenly eyeing the Fall, which has remain under this school for 35 years? There is something going on behind the scenes,” said one of the members of the school management committee.
However, Gurung was of the opinion that PTDC wants to end the monopoly of the school over David´s Fall revenue. He also informed that PTDC would revoke the tender if the school provides PTDC a certain percent of the total revenue.
“It is not illegal for PTDC to claim the revenue as the Fall falls under its jurisdiction. We are ready to ink a new agreement if the school is ready to provide 2 to 2.5 million rupees annually to PTDC,” Gurung said.
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