Jammu: The Minister for Education, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari informed the House that the government has sanctioned opening up of 17 new colleges which shall be established in the uncovered areas of the state. The location details for setting up of the newly sanctioned colleges are being worked out by the Education Department, he added.He also said the upgradation of 400 schools has been also approved
Replying to a question of legislator Choudhary Qamar Hussain in the Legislative Assembly Saturday, the Minister said the department’s endeavour is to commence the academic activities soon in these colleges. He, however, said the opening up of new colleges at a particular place/area shall be the subject to the availability of requisite land and feasibility of demand which includes the sufficient number of feeding Higher Secondary Schools.
“The priority will be given to uncovered Assembly segments which are presently devoid of such facility”, he added.
With regard to another part of the main question, the Minister informed that presently 6 Government Degree Colleges are functional in the district Rajouri and there is no proposal to establish a new Degree College in the district.
Responding to another query of the Legislator, the Minister informed that at present there is no proposal to establish Cluster University in Pir Panchal and Chenab regions.
“Cluster Universities are sanctioned by MHRD, GoI under RUSA by pooling the existing infrastructure of 3 to 5 Degree colleges within a radius of 15 KM and the government is focusing on strengthening the existing Cluster Universities in Srinagar and Jammu”, he added.
He further informed the House that Government Degree College Rajouri cannot be included in existing Cluster Universities.
With regard to the introduction of Arabic and Persian department in Jammu University, the Minister said the University of Jammu intends to introduce both these departments in the Main Campus/Offsite Campuses and the proposal for the creation of teaching and non-teaching positions is being taken up.
He added that as and when the posts are created and grants for development of adequate infrastructure are available, the process for establishment of new departments in the main campus would be started.
Replying to another questio Bukhari informed the members that the state cabinet has approved up-gradation of 200 middle schools (100 in each division) to the level of High School and 200 High schools (100 in each division) to Higher Secondary level.
Replying to a question by Rajiv Jasrotia, the Minister said the identification of the schools is being made by the School Education Department in consultation with Legislators as per norms/feasibility for up-gradation, he added and said however, the up-gradation of schools shall be subject to availability of funds for creation of requisite staff and infrastructure.
Regarding transfer of teachers, the Minister said the engagement of ReTs is school specific and their transfer is not covered under the Transfer Policy of the Department, as such no transfer of ReTs has been made in contravention of the basic spirit of the transfer policy. He, however, said in Jammu Division, some transfers of ReTs have been issued by the Chief Education Officers in contravention of the basic spirit of the transfer policy, for which an inquiry has already been initiated by the Department and the inquiry report is yet to be received, he added.
Elaborating on another part of the question, the Minister said attachments/deployments of some teachers have been effected on the approval of the Administrative Department/Head of Departments concerned.
“Premature transfers, wherever unavoidable, were ordered with the prior approval of the competent authority, keeping in view the administrative exigency”, he said and added that in certain cases, premature transfers have been effected on health/security/marriage grounds. However, he said while ordering such transfers efforts are made to provide substitutes, enabling the smooth functioning of the department, he added.
Minister for Rural Development, Haq Khan informed the House that government has approved 11653 dwelling units under Prime Minister Awas Yojna (PMAY) during 2016-17 and 2017-18.
Replying to a question by Shakti Raj Parihar, the Minister said said the first instalment was released to 9830, second instalment released to 1277 beneficiaries while as the third instalment was released to 56. He said 13 houses were completed so far.
He asserted that there was no disparity in allotment of financial assistance at the divisional level.
Responding to another part of the question, the Minister said the technical staff including Work Supervisors, Junior Engineers, Assistant Engineers, Assistant Executive Engineers and Executive Engineers are already working in Blocks, Divisions and Sub-divisions for making effective execution of works including Centrally Sponsored Schemes he added. He further told the House that the department has taken revolutionary steps including, implementation of e-FMS under MGNREGA through which the department directly transfers wages electronically under MGNREGA to the already linked bank accounts of the beneficiaries and makes it paperless besides eliminating delays in wage payment. He said measures ensure the much-needed transparency and funds will reach to the real beneficiaries on the ground.
Responding to the supplementary to the main question, the Minister informed that supporting staff of MGNREGA is doing good and has contributed a lot for the successful implementation of the program in the State. He said the government has increased their wages and consider to further enhancement.
