Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 8: Minister of State for Education, Priya Sethi today said that the construction of 20 Government Degree College (GDC) buildings is underway across the State, while four buildings are targeted to be completed by March 2018.
Replying to a calling attention notice of PDP MLC Yasir Reshi ‘to call the attention of the Government towards the situation that has arisen due to the non-establishment of Degree College in Hajin, Bandipora despite the issuance of Government order,’ the Minister informed that these existing colleges will be equipped with all necessary facilities including laboratories, libraries, and other related equipment to make them fully functional.
“At present, there are 96 Government Degree Colleges functional in the State, of which 69 colleges function in own campuses, including 10 completed in the current financial year 2017-18,” she informed.
The Minister said that the State Cabinet vide Decision No.203/12/2017 dated 23.10.2017 has approved the opening of 17 new Government Degree Colleges in the State to cover the devoid areas.
The Minister further said that three Degree Colleges at Hajin (Bandipora), Ukhral (Ramban) and Kastigarh (Doda) were announced in 2014 without following prescribed norms and resultantly, these could not be made functional.
In addition, there are three Government Engineering Colleges functional in the State including two Colleges sanctioned under RUSA at Safapora (Ganderbal) and Kathua.
Yasir Reshi said that Degree College at Hajin was announced by a big leader and even a senior officer also issued order but till date that college was in the air. “Are you going to take action against the officer who did it or going to lodge an FIR ?” The Minister however, avoided to reply despite the fact that another PDP member Firdous Tak also pressed for a response from the Government.
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