The Minister for Education, Hajj and Auqaf and Tribal Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today said that the government will conduct a detailed and comprehensive audit to get an insight into infrastructure and manpower requirements in the government educational institutes He said based on inputs of audit reports a policy will be formulated to fill the infrastructural gaps and maintain healthy teacher student ratio. He said efforts will be made to meet bare minimum infrastructure for all schools including building, water electricity supply and equipment for modern education.The Minister was speaking at a public meeting convened to have first hand appraisal of public issues and demands and review follow up on directions issued in previous public meetings.A number of issues confronting the public ranging from up-gradation of roads, payment of wages under MGNREGA and 14th FC, water scarcity, strengthening of power supply system, completion of buildings of health and educational institutions to up-gradation of schools and health centres, payment of land acquisition cases, provision of hand pumps in drought hit areas and water tanker services to various habitations among others were raised in the meeting.The Minister said that many new initiatives are underway to transform the education sector. He said newly sanctioned colleges, school up-gradation , Eklavya model schools for each district and university campuses in border and hilly district are going to further revolutionize the education scenario in the state. He said transfers, rationalisation of staff and matters related to recruitment of contractual staff at district level will be entrusted to Deputy Commissioners and controlling officers of education department will be spared for monitoring of education deliverance in the schools.He said the transfers would be rationalized so that everyone in teaching staff get posting in urban as well as rural areas.
Meanwhile, the Minister gave on spot directions to concerned officers for resolving issues raised by the public. He impressed upon the officers to adhere to timelines in execution of developmental projects while ensuring maximum utilisation of available resources. The Minister asked the DDC to formulate a comprehensive drought management plan in consultation with concerned agencies to address the water woes of the public. He instructed for night inspection of pumping stations to ensure drinking water is provided to the public.About non-payment of wages under MGNREGA, the Minister was informed that Rs 10 Cr have been released against a spill over liability of 76 Cr.The Minister directed the DDC to resolve the issue of non-payments of work done under various schemes of rural development. Later, the Minister also reviewed progress on upcoming development projects in Darhal Constituency including Patli Qila Ecopark, Koteranka amusement park, Ans Irrigation Canal, Rajouri-Koteranka-Khawas road, ITI Koteranka etc. He directed the concerned to expedite the pace of work to achieve time bound completion of the projects.On the side lines of the meeting, a deputation of J&K RET Federation called upon the Minister and sought to resolve the issue of salaries under SSA. The Minister assured the deputation that government is working on a policy to address their genuine grievances.Present on the occasion were DDC Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, DSEJ R K Srangal, ADC Koteranka Shafiq Ahmad, SSP Yougal Manhas, Special Officer Auqaf Islamia Raj Mohammad, CEO Tourism Dr Tahir Firdous, ACD Akhtar Hussain Qazi, SE PHE, I & FC Rafiq Khan, SE PWD Majid Khan, ExEns Mushtaq Raina, Munshi Khan and Zubair Ahmad and officers from district and subdivisional administration Koteranka.