Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today directed higher education department to expedite process for making Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) functional in the state.“The procedural formalities for the finalization of the campus site and taking up construction should be expedited so that the premium institute is made functional and the students of the state get the benefit at the earliest” Deputy Chief Minister asked the authorities while chairing a high level meeting convened here today to review the progress made in this regard.The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal, Secretary Higher Education, Sarita Chauhan and senior functionaries of education R&B, Forest and Wild Life department.Asking for early appointment of faculty and meeting other requirements, the Deputy Chief Minister asked the authorities to explore the possibility for starting the classes at temporary campus from next academic session.
The Deputy CM was informed that 3400 kanal land has been identified near Khanpur Jagti for setting up IIT campus and the further process is going on.Commissioner/Secretary Higher Education Department Sarita Chauhan informed that besides the requirement of a building for running temporary campus of IIT, there is urgent need for establishing hostels and 50 quarters for the stay of students and faculty.It was decided in the meeting that the old campus of University of Jammu would be renovated for providing hostel facility to the students.Others present at the meeting were Deputy Commissioner Jammu Simrandeep Singh, Director School Education, Jammu Smita Sethi, Superintendent Engineer PWD (R&B) SP Manhas, Additional Development Commissioner Anuradha Gupta, Chief Conservator of Forest Wildlife Department, Jammu A K Gupta, Chief Conservator of Forests Jammu, Roshan Jaggi, Regional Wildlife Warden Lalit Sharma, District Forest Officer Jammu Dr VS Senthil Kumar, Assistant Commissioner Central SD Singh, Principal GGM Science College Prof Ajeet Angral, Principal GDC Paloura Rita Bhagat and Regional Director IGNOU Jammu KK Bhat.