BIKANER, Oct. 27 -- Against a November 3 deadline set by the state education department to complete cleaning, repairs, beautification and lighting at government schools ahead of Diwali, teachers have flagged the associated financial burden imposed on them to meet the requirement. The 2026-27 Composite School Grant guidelines list an approved budget of about Rs.220.06 crore for 69,140 elementary, secondary and senior secondary schools across Rajasthan. Of this, Rs..108.81 crore is earmarked for 49,985 elementary schools and Rs..111.25 crore for 19,155 secondary and senior secondary schools. The approved budget does not establish how much money is available in individual school accounts. At least 10% of the grant must be earmarked for the School Cleanliness Action Plan. Permitted expenditure includes toilet cleaning and minor repairs, cleaning materials, waste disposal, drinking-water arrangements, and annual repairs and beautification of school buildings and toilets. The guidelines prohibit spending on celebrations and expenditure beyond the sanctioned limit. These provisions mean that some of the work envisaged in the Diwali campaign can be undertaken through the existing grant, subject to its rules and the money available at the school. Teachers' associations said that school heads may have to pay upwards of Rs.25,000 out of their own pockets to fund the work to meet the requirements. The department's October 21 order, which HT has seen, for the Vidyalaya Saundaryikaran evam Deepotsav 2026 campaign calls for cleaning campuses thoroughly, along with necessary repairs and painting. The department has also asked schools to involve local community members in the work....