The State Administrative Council which met here today under the chairmanship of Governor Shri Satya Pal Malik decided to open 40 new degree colleges in a phased manner across the state, including the 26 degree colleges already sanctioned.While acknowledging the need for opening up of more colleges in un-served areas to provide access to hitherto deprived sections of the society and increasing the enrolment at college level which is the need of the hour, the SAC decided to constitute a Committee under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary, Finance with Principal Secretary, Planning Development & Monitoring, Commissioner/Secretary, Higher Education and Secretary, School Education as its members to finalize the phasing of sanctioned colleges, and examine the feasibility of likely locations for new colleges; keeping in view the prescribed norms besides factors like enrolment, student-teacher ratio, faculty deployment, geographical conditions and financial requirement.Based on the recommendations of the Committee, the Higher Education Department will seek approval of the Competent Authority to the operationalization of the sanctioned and new colleges in a phased manner.
The SAC also endorsed the opening of Degree College at Drass done with prior approval and concurrence of Finance and Planning Departments. It also welcomed the opening of Model Degree Colleges at Villgam in Kupwara and Paddar in Kishtwar Districts under RUSA 2.0 for which necessary orders to modify the sanction from State Plan to RUSA 2.0 was also directed.SAC decided that opening of two Administrative Staff Colleges, one each at Srinagar and Jammu, after due examination of the level, scope and location of the Administrative Staff Colleges will be done by the aforementioned Committee The phasing of opening up of new Colleges shall be subject to and supported by adequate funds with faculty and staff to enable the new colleges to have good standards from inception.The increase in colleges is essential so that more and more youth get the benefit of college education and the gross enrolment rises further from the current 26%. This would be the best way for youth to get gainful employment and lead prosperous, happy lives.