Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 30: Ruling as well as Opposition MLAs today expressed serious concern over delay in construction of infrastructure for various Degree Colleges sanctioned several years back and demanded establishment of new colleges in the un-covered areas of the State. Even Speaker, Mubarak Gul questioned the Minister of State for Higher Education, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma for delay in respect of infrastructure for Women College Srinagar, which is functioning from Amar Singh College since 2007.
“What is the reason behind delay in construction of infrastructure for Women College Srinagar, which was sanctioned in 2007”? asked Speaker, adding “how can you deny higher education facility to the area having population of 15 lakh”.
Minister of State for Higher Education, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, while responding to the issue raised by the Speaker and main question of Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal, attributed the delay to identification of land for the college, adding “now the evacuee land measuring 54 kanal and 19 marla at Batapora, Zakura, has been approved for establishment of the college presently functioning in the campus of Amar Singh College, Srinagar and an amount of Rs 324 lakh on account of land compensation has already been placed at the disposal of the Custodian Evacuee Property, Kashmir”.
Raising supplementary, National Panthers Party MLA, Harshdev Singh said, “the colleges were opened in most irrational manner and the deserving areas were ignored”, adding “the Government owes an explanation for delay in construction of infrastructure for the already sanctioned colleges and injustice with some areas”.
About the Degree College at Majalta which has not come up despite High Court’s directions, Mr Singh said, “I will move contempt proceedings in the Court against the Government”.
Former Minister and Congress MLA, G M Saroori said that Degree College for Chatroo was sanctioned about six years back but till date construction has not begun. “A House Committee should be framed to look into the issue and suggest measures for creation of infrastructure on fast track basis”, he added.
Another Congress MLA, Ashok Kumar said, “there is no girls Degree College in Ramban and Doda Districts due to which girl students have been facing inconvenience”. He sought to know from the Government whether there was any proposal for setting up of Degree College in either of these districts. Former Minister and National Conference MLA Qamar Ali Akhoon also raised the demand of girls Degree College at Kargil.
Engineer Rashid and Ashwani Sharma also demanded Degree Colleges for their respective constituencies.
Replying to the supplementaries, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma said, “Higher Education Department has constituted a committee to look into the feasibility and other parameters and to devise a mechanism for establishment of new Degree Colleges in uncovered areas of the State on modern lines”, adding “the committee has already visited most of the identified places and the decision with regard to opening of new colleges will be taken only after submission of the report of the committee and in consultation with the Finance and Planning Departments”.
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