‘Kmr allotted Rs 1000 cr more than Jammu in Edu sector’
*Education, Health sectors need more attention: Karra
Vikas Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 13: Claiming that Kashmir Division has been allotted Rs 1000 crores more than Jammu division in the School Education sector, the BJP MLA from Udhampur West Pawan Gupta has said that Jammu region was still facing huge discrimination.
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He was participating in the debate on grants for School/ Higher Education and Health and Medical Education Departments in the Assembly today.
Gupta said that Jammu Division has been allocated Rs 4474 crore while Kashmir Rs 5439 crore in School Education sector. There is difference of nearly Rs 1000 crores. During previous budget, Jammu division was allotted Rs 4563 crores which indicates that Rs 89 crores less were allotted to Jammu this year while Kashmir division was provided Rs 4931 crores. The funds of Kashmir division were increased by Rs 508 crores and Jammu’s reduced by Rs 98 crores.
Again, in the Higher Education sector, Rs 260 crores were provided for Universities/ Colleges in Jammu while Rs 343 crores in Kashmir Division. It has been observed that while Government colleges are being provided funds at the rate of Rs 7-8 crores while the private Colleges/ Universities @ Rs 30 to 44 crores. He asked what was the criteria for providing funds to the Government and privates institutions.
Referring to Health sector, Gupta said Rs 8800 crores are the budgetary allocations for this sector while Rs 1536 crore have been allocated to Jammu division and Rs 2402 crores to the Kashmir division. It is interesting that Rs 4800 crore have has been kept at the disposal of Commissioner /Secretary concerned. The vote is being sought for passage of grants for the amount disclosed in the House and there should be clarity on the utilization of Rs 4800 crores in the Health sector.
He alleged that printed booklets of grants were not provided in advance to the members participating in the debate and a wrong precedence has been set in the House. He sought intervention of the CM to bring to an end to discrimination with the Jammu region.
Senior members Mubarak Gul and Hasnain Masoodi from NC lauded the measures taken by the Minister concerned and said that health institutions are being improved. Peerzada Mohd Sayed and Vijay Sharma referred to the issues of their respective constituencies and demanded that adequate medical staff should be provided.
Bashir Ahmed Veeri (NC) expressed serious concern over the increase in the cases of Cancer in J&K and said, “there is need to bring reforms in our health sector, so that we can keep a check over these cases and save the precious lives of people.”
PCC(1) chief and MLA Shalteng Tariq Hameed Karra, emphasized the education and health sectors require increased attention and investment to ensure a healthy and skilled workforce, improve overall well-being and promote economic growth and social mobility.
He stated, “These two sectors are indeed key indicators of a state’s or economy’s well-being and development, as they directly impact human capital, productivity and societal progress. Education is the foundation for economic growth, while healthcare is also vital for sustainable development.”
Karra further explained, “Investing in education and healthcare can significantly contribute to poverty reduction. Access to quality healthcare can reduce the burden of disease, improve health outcomes and help individuals and families escape poverty.”
He also raised concerns about the appointment of non-local Vice Chancellors to universities in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Many universities in the region are headed by non-local Vice Chancellors and every time a tenure ends, the Government extends their term. Is there a shortage of educated individuals in Jammu and Kashmir?” he questioned and called for the appointment of local candidates for the position of Vice Chancellor.
He reiterated his demand for the functioning of trauma hospitals in his constituency, noting that despite the sanctioning of three trauma hospitals, none are operational. He pointed out the shortage of staff, doctors, and paramedical staff, adding, “The Government focuses on announcing new hospitals, but does little to ensure the functionality of existing ones.”
He urged the Minister to fill the vacant posts in these hospitals without delay.
People’s Conference chief and MLA from Handwara, Sajad Lone, spoke about the growing marginalization of Kashmiri-speaking residents due to what he described as an inequitable reservation system. “The current reservation framework is creating social disempowerment for the community,” he said.
Lone explained that the system, which covers around 60% of available positions, disproportionately affects the Kashmir region.
He added, “The mental well-being of our schools and children has been severely impacted. Kashmiri-speaking people form a distinct ethnic group, and with each passing day, fewer of them are succeeding in exams, not due to incompetence, but because their opportunities are being limited.”
MLA from Billawar, Satish Sharma, raised concerns about Primary Health Centers (PHCs) operating in unsafe buildings.
He also requested the establishment of an IGNOU study center and a Jammu University campus at Billawar Degree College to benefit students, who currently have to travel to Jammu for IGNOU courses.
MLA from Kishtwar, Shagun Parihar, highlighted the issue of poor network connectivity in the far-flung areas of her constituency.
“The Government has announced Smart Classes in my constituency, but without proper network connectivity, how can system be implemented?” she asked.
Parihar urged the Government to improve connectivity by installing more telecom towers in the area. She also raised the issue of inadequate salaries for Anganwadi and Asha workers, who, despite working tirelessly, are paid very little.
MLA from Akhnoor, Mohan Lal, spoke about fulfilling the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” (Developed India 2047). “We must work with commitment and passion to ensure 100% literacy at the earliest. This is achievable sooner than we think. Let each one make one literate, which will be a major contribution to a developed India,” he said.
Mohan Lal also raised the issues of reservations in promotions, transfer policies for SC employees, and the need for a drug-free constituency. He reiterated his commitment to transforming Akhnoor into a model constituency.
MLA Rameshwar Singh from Bani highlighted the post of Headmaster, that is lying vacant since a long time in a school of his constituency.
He demanded the salaries for NHRM staff, daily wagers and other lower staff employees, which are pending for six months.
“Stopping the salaries of lower staff is injustice with these people, they need regular salaries to run their houses,” he asserted.
MLA from Lal Chowk, Ashsan Pardesi, emphasized the importance of implementing the National Education Policy (NEP). “A well-defined and futuristic education policy is essential for every country, as education drives economic and social progress. Countries around the world have adapted different education systems to meet their needs,” he said.
Pardesi also urged the Minister to introduce Public Administration as a subject for higher secondary classes.
MLA from Pulwama, Waheed Ur Rehman Parra, raised concerns about the state of healthcare services at District Hospital Pulwama.
He urged the Government to take immediate action to strengthen, expand, and upgrade the hospital’s facilities.
Parra proposed the construction of a separate diagnostic block equipped with high-end machines such as CT, MRI, DR Systems, advanced USG and Doppler machines and also suggested replacing the outdated hospital building with a modern vertical structure to meet the growing demands of the public.
Similarly, other MLAs including, Irfan Hafiz Lone from Bagoora, Omar Rafiq Naik from Tral, Sajjad Shaheen from Banihal, Sheikh Khursheed Ahmed from Langate, Shabir Ahmed from Shopian, Randhir Singh from Kalakote, Salman Sagar from Hazratbal, Javed Mirchal from Karnah and Dr Sajjad Shafi from Uri also raised the issues, which are being faced by the people in their constituencies, during the discussion.
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