Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Department of Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks Priya Sethi today took a comprehensive review of the performance of various departments and educational institutions in Akhnoor tehsil.The Minister reviewed the performance of primary and secondary educational institutions, status of mango villages being developed by horticulture department and various parks being maintained by floriculture department. The Minister was accompanied by MLA Akhnoor Rajeev Sharma, Director Education Jammu Babila Rakwal, Director Colleges Jammu Renu Goswami, Director Floriculture Jammu Sunil Misri, Joint Director Horticulture Jammu Tarvinder Singh, Joint, SDM Akhnoor Sunaina Sharma CEO Jammu JK Sudan, CHO Jammu Yogesh Kesar and BDO Akhnoor Shahid Mughal along with other officials from various concerned departments.During the tour, the Minister inaugurated development works in various schools across Akhnoor including newly constructed model laboratories and library at Government Boys Higher Secondary Akhnoor. The infrastructure in the school has been created under the Model School Initiative. She also inaugurated the boundary walls in Government Middle School at Daksal, Khungan, Palwan and at High School Sumah constructed under CAPEX budget and BADP in convergence mode with MGNREGA.
Priya Sethi laid thrust on imparting computer training to the students and ensuring that they are able to stand with their counterparts coming from private institutions. She said that computer education has become insuperable part of every sector and imparting this knowledge to students has become the need of the hour. She instructed the teachers to use free time to impart ‘hands on training’ at computers to students and other modern skills.The Minister further asked the school authorities to reach out to local population and encourage them to send their wards to schools so that every child can benefit from education. She also interacted with students at these schools and inquired about education imparted to them. During her visit to Government Degree College Akhnoor, the Minister inspected various facilities including the smart classroom, labs and other infrastructure available to the students. She instructed the college administration to set up a botanical garden in collaboration with allied departments in the premises of the college which will function as a lab where students of biology can learn and experiment to further their studies.The Minister also inspected the Mango Village established in Sungal by the department of horticulture and took account of the maintenance and care being taken with regards to the orchard.
Priya Sethi interacted with the farmers and urged them to make conscientious efforts towards care and well being of this ambitious venture. Responding to the issue of water supply raised by the framers, the Minister instructed the department to conduct a survey to identify a viable source of irrigation for these farms at the earliest.This mango village is part of department’s initiative to cover 100 hectares in the area over a span of four years.In the first phase, an area of 25 Hectares has been taken up wherein 2500 mango plants have been planted involving 31 beneficiaries. They have been provided quality planting material comprising different varieties of mango including Dushehari, Amrapali, Mallika procured from different departmental nurseries.Later the Minister inspected various parks in the area being maintained by the floriculture department. She directed the concerned officers to upgrade the facilities for the visiting pilgrims and make the parks more attractive so that the visitors spend more time there.She said that parks are community properties that should be equipped with all basic amenities like relaxing and viewing spots, landscaping and plantation. She also stressed for creating special recreational facilities for the children, who visit these parks for excursions.The Minister also instructed the concerned to undertake further improvements wherever required.Priya Sethi also held interactions with the general public at Guest house Akhnoor where in the public raised various issues being faced by them. The Minister gave on spot instructions to the concerned officials to solve the issues at the earliest.