Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 3: SKUAST-Teaching Association Jammu (SKUAST-TAJ) under the leadership of its president Dr Vikas Sharma called on Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura at Civil Secretariat today and submitted a memorandum regarding sanction of much required additional faculties of SKUAST-Jammu.
In the course of their half an hour meeting, the Minister and the SKUAST-TAJ members discussed various important issues related to the teaching, research and extension of the varsity. Dr Vikas Sharma apprised the Minister that opening of Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Horticulture, Faculty of Dairy Technology is the need of the hour which will increase the flow of students in the institution, but the formal proposal for sanction of these faculties has been hanging in fire and is still awaiting nod of the Agriculture Production / Planning Department from the last 13 years reasons best known to the persons at the helm of affairs. He informed that the university has been vigorously pursuing the matter and replied all the queries with regard to required staff strength and budget estimates for the response of concerned authorities, but there was zero progress on the matter as the State Government has not sanctioned these faculties till date.
Dr Vivek M Arya, general secretary of the Association, informed the Minister that teaching association will welcome the decision of State Government to establish new universities in the J&K State, but it will not be acceptable at the cost of existing Research Centers / Faculties of SKUAST-Jammu. He said that SKUAST – Jammu is working in its infancy stage from the last 17 years and flourishing day by day and there is no need to disturb the status of this only established farm varsity of Jammu division. “Bifurcation will paralyze and impede the functioning of this already existing / acclaimed Agricultural University”, he added.
The Minister appreciated the concern of Agriculture Scientists for strengthening of existing Research Stations and assured to look into the matter.
The deputation comprised of Dr P K. Rai, Dr Devinder Sharma and Dr Rajeev Bharat Sangra.
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