Minister for Education, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today laid the foundation of Government Degree College Hadipora, Rafiabad in presence of MLA Rafiabad Yawar Dillawar Mir.The phase I of the institute will come up at the estimated cost of Rs 7.50 crore and will be executed by J&K Police Housing Corporation. Speaking on the occasion, Altaf Bukhari said the establishment of Degree College was the long pending demand of the people of the area. He reiterated the Govt’s commitment of providing quality education to the students and said various initiatives are afoot to develop basic educational infrastructure in educational institutions.Bukhari stressed for strong and quality education mechanism and termed it necessary for building a strong nation. Meanwhile, he directed the concerned for early initiation of work on the Degree College so that the project is completed within shortest possible time.While terming peace imperative for development, the Minister said that present government led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has taken up the mission of development and is committed for equitable development of all constituencies.MLA Rafiabad Yawar Dilawar Mir during his address expressed gratitude to the Minister and said that more needs to be done for the socio-economic uplift of Rafiabad area. He highlighted various public demands with respect to education sector in the area and urged for their timely fulfillment.Later the Minister also laid the foundation stone of Government Higher Secondary School Ladoora Rafiabad which will be built at a cost of Rs 4.84 crore. The construction work will be executed by J&K Housing Board within the time frame of 18 months. Among others former Minister Mohammad Dillawar Mir, District Development Commissioner Baramulla Dr Nasir Ahmad Naqash, Director School Education Kashmir Dr G N Itoo, Project Director RMSA Tufail Matoo, Director Colleges, ADC Sopore Kursheed Ahmad Shah, Chief Education Officer, representatives of housing board and other departments besides a huge gathering of students were present on the occasion.