Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Jan 8: A delegation of Jammu & Kashmir students, mostly hailing from the erstwhile district of Doda, as also from other parts, accompanied by teachers, today called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, and held an hour long meeting with him to discuss some important issues related to the student community within the State as well as such students from the State who are undergoing studies in different parts of the country outside the State.
Also present during the meeting were National Coordinator of “Muslim Rashtriya Manch”, Khurshid Rajaka and prominent political activists, Shaukat Dang from Banihal and Ikhlaq Wani from Doda.
One of the issues raised by the students was unemployment even after they had obtained post-graduate and higher degrees from some of the best universities. Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasises the importance of skill training in order to bring about value addition to the employability prospects of the educated youth. He referred to three month training in land survey which he had arranged for a group of Doda youth at Hyderabad. He said, similar exercise can also be replicated in other regions and districts.
Referring to the issues related to Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme(PMSS), Dr. Jitendra Singh said, Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry had informed that the number of seats under PMSSS are being increased. However, he said, the students have complained of delay in the processing of their documents at the State level, for which the State Government can take cognisance. Similarly, he said, some of the issues arose because of inability by some candidates to fulfill all the formalities in stipulated time due to disturbed situation in Kashmir Valley during the second half of 2016 and heavy floods during 2014.
Another issue raised by the members of delegation was the alleged diversion of vacant posts of Rahber-e-Taleem Teachers (ReTs) to accommodate teachers under Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme (KGBVS). Dr Jitendra Singh said, he would bring this to the notice of State Education Department and request them to explore the most acceptable way out. He said, he had already taken up with the State Government, the issue of non-payment of salaries or delayed payment of salary dues to the ReTs.
Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated that the Modi Government is particular about the interests of students from peripheral States like Jammu & Kashmir and Northeast, who are studying in different parts of the country. He recalled that for Northeastern students, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) had set up exclusive hostel in Bangalore University and was also planning the same in Delhi and Pune as well. For Jammu & Kashmir students also, he said, it was important to ensure that in whichever part of the country they live, their safety and comfort should be a priority so that they can undergo their studies without any distraction.
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