Union Human Resources Development Minister Dr. Mangapatti Pallam Raju today visited Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal’s official residence here this morning. Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office informed that during the meeting Mr. Badal urged the Union Minister to grant the relaxation in the condition of 5km distance for the up gradation of middle schools to high as situation in the state was entirely different due to the existence of shortly-distanced and densely-populated villages, so there was a dire need to upgrade many thick strength middle schools to high schools. He urged to relax the present 5km condition to 3km subject to the village/urban population.
Mr. Badal also apprised the Union HRD Minister that the State Government had established 17 University Degree Colleges which were presently successfully operational and performing well. He asked to accord approval for two more modern degree colleges at Narot Jaimal Singh and Guru Har Sahai besides, approval for two additional University colleges at Verka and Moonak. Likewise, two new Polytechnic Colleges were also being setting up at Jalandhar and Amritsar to impart skill training to the youth, added Mr. Badal.
Mr. Badal also urged Dr. Pallam Raju to expedite the construction and other related work of Central University at Bathinda as all the requisite formalities from the state government side had already been completed.The Chief Minister also urged the Union Government to chalk out a comprehensive plan with a view to impart quality education to the deprived but intelligent students with rural background. He said that state government was already striving hard in this direction through its limited resources whereas Union Government could play a bigger and vital role to protect the country’s brilliant potential before it go waste. Mr. Badal also asked the Union Minister to enhance the School Grants, Uniform allowances and Management Cost under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan for the state from 3.5% to 6%.
On this occasion IT and Food & Supply Minister Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon raised the issue of inadequate residential facilities for the teachers serving in the schools near International Border and suggested that GoI could provide them residential accommodation as a joint venture with Border Security Force (BSF).Appreciating the concern shown by Mr. Badal, the Union HRD Minister emphasised the education was the second most important subject that should be given priority after Law and Order and he assured him that he would consider all the issues with an open mind for their early solutions. The Union Minister was accompanied by Secretary Higher Education HRD Ministry, GoI Mr. Ashok Thakur and OSD to HRD Minister Mr. Seshu Kumar.
Prominent amongst those were present on the occasion included Education Minister Mr. Sikandar Singh Malooka, Principal Secretary to the CM Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Higher Education Mr. AR Talwar, Secretary Education Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Special Principal Secretaries to the CM Mr. KJS Cheema and Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh and DGSE Mr. KS Pannu.