J&K will soon witness dawn of peace: Prasad
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Jan 24: Union Minister for Human Resources Development, Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank’ today said the Central Government will bring major reforms to revamp the education sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister e-inaugurated 45 projects under education sector at a cost of Rs 180 crore here. The projects include Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Srinagar, 25 Smart Model Schools, Sheikh-ul-Alam Chair at Center for Sheikh-ul-Alam Studies (Markaz-i Noor) and Laboratory Block (PEB) at University of Kashmir, besides Government College of Engineering Safapora and Government Degree College Zakura.
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He also inaugurated 25 Smart Schools established by Srinagar Administration in collaboration with Srinagar Smart City. The Minister complimented the outstanding efforts of Srinagar administration for remarkable achievement in a short span of time.
He said that the Smart Model Schools project is aimed at transforming Government schools on modern lines. The initiative has been envisaged by Divisional and District Administration Srinagar.
Pokhriyal inaugurated 16 projects under School Education Department at a cost of Rs 2468.06 lakh including Laboratory Block at Boys Higher Secondary School Anantnag, double Storey Building at HSS Nanil, Additional accommodation for BHSS Zadibal, KGBV at Bela Boniyar Baramulla, Girls Hostel at Mehind Nowshere, double storey Building at GHSS Anantnag, KVGB at Chankhan Sopore, Girls Hostel BHSS Budgam, Girls Hostel GHS Keeri Baramulla, Girls Hostel GHSS Baramulla and KGBV Rakshalina at B.K Pora Budgam.
Under Higher Education Department, the Union Minister inaugurated Government Degree College for Women Zakura, Srinagar established at a cost of Rs 1148 lakh and Government College of Engineering and Technology, Safapora at a cost of Rs 2600 lakh.
The Minister said the Government is keen to develop the education sector and the objective of ‘Nishank’ is to train 672 Key Resource Persons (KRPs) and State Resources Persons, besides training 86769 Teachers and Head Teachers at elementary level.
He said reforms have been brought about in recruitment procedures by ending Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) scheme with the creation of 28363 supernumerary posts against which ReT teachers were absorbed in school education department.
The Minister said 36 Kendriya Vidyalayas have been sanctioned in UT of Jammu & Kashmir and five new KVs are coming up soon at Akhnoor, Udhampur, Anantnag, Jourian and Baramulla, where land has been identified while 21 JNVs have also been sanctioned.
He said that to facilitate availability of teachers in close proximity to school in remote areas 280 units of Teachers Hostels will be set up.
Pokhryal released Urdu version of NISHTHA for the conveniences of teachers. He said that the Social Science curriculum revision has completed by the NCERT in coordination with the JKBOSE and new text book with new map of India have been prepared.
Earlier, Deputy Commiss-ioner, Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary made detailed presentation about the initiative under Smart Schools for upgradation of infrastructure, provision of facilities, teacher training and innovation grant for schools. He acknowledged the vital role played by teachers in shaping the future of students in all challenging circumstances.
And in Sopore in North Kashmir, Union Minister for Law and Justice, Communications and IT, Ravi Shankar Prasad today said that Jammu and Kashmir will soon witness a new dawn of peace and development as various measures are underway to ensure holistic development of J&K.
“Government is committed to ensure holistic development of all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said adding that several economic sectors including horticulture, tourism etc shall be developed and upgraded on modern lines”.
Urging the people to cooperate in taking the region to new heights of development, Prasad said that time has come to change the fate of Kashmir through peace, progress and prosperity. He stressed upon the youth to come up with new and progressive ideas pertaining to developmental concerns.
While terming Sopore area as a hub of horticulture production, Prasad said that Fruit Mandi Sopore shall be developed as e-mandi wherein it shall be integrated with the rest of mandis of the country. He said that Sopore is best endowed with Apple tourism and it can play a larger role in the socio-economic development.
He hoped that youth of district Baramulla will take keen interest in sports activities and the need is to provide appropriate platforms so that their potential is channelized in positive direction. He announced that an Indoor Sports Stadium shall be soon developed at Sopore, terming it an effort towards upgrading sports infrastructure in the district.
Appreciating the role of BDCs and other PRIs in strengthening the grassroots democracy, the Union Minister said that 73rd and 74th amendments shall be effectively implemented to strengthen democracy.
He met 10 deputations who appraised him about their issues and demands. A deputation of Federation of Industrial Estate Sopore demanded elevation of Sopore sub-division as a district. They also demanded construction of Mini-Secretariat in the town, Hi-tech ambulances for SDH Sopore, up-gradation of infra in schools and health institutions etc.
Another deputation of Fruit Association Sopore demanded uninterrupted movement of apple ferrying vehicles on National Highway, compensation to orchardists whose property got damaged in recent heavy snowfall and during floods in 2014, exemption of KCC loans, testing lab for pesticides, truck terminal in North Kashmir and other issues of vital public importance.
Other deputations who raised their grievances and demands included Traders Federation Sopore, various civil societies of the area, J&K Choppan Welfare Association and NYC Association Baramulla among others.
The Minister assured that all the demands shall be looked into for their time-bound resolution.
He inaugurated various developmental activities which included 100 m span Suspension bridge over Pohru Nallah at Seelu, Trauma Centre at Watergam, 33kv sub-receiving station at Rafiabad, several Panchayat Ghars in Ladoora, Panzlla and at other villages. He also laid the foundation stone of a road connecting Fruit Mandi Sopore to its peripheral areas.
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