Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, today emphasized implementation of revised syllabus in all Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) within next three months besides asking for expeditious completion of new polytechnics in all the districts.
Dr Samoon issued these directions while chairing a high level meeting held in this regard. MD JKPCC, Director, Skill Development Department, Chief Engineer R&B Jammu and Kashmir and other officials attended the meeting.
Notably, the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development had sanctioned 18 new Polytechnics during 2009-2010 for uncovered districts of Jammu and Kashmir under "Sub-Mission on Polytechnic under Coordinated Action for Skill Development" scheme.
The meeting was informed that out of 18 Polytechnics, 9 are being constructed in Kashmir division including Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Anantnag, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama.
Similarly, 9 Polytechnics are being constructed in Jammu division including Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Poonch, Udhampur, Reasi, Kathua, Samba and Rajouri. The meeting was also informed that 2 Polytechnics of Rajouri and Pulwama districts have been established in the campus of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah and Islamic University of Science and Technology Awantipora, Pulwama respectively.
Besides, out of 18 Polytechnics, Government Polytechnic Baramulla, Anantnag, Kulgam, Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Samba, Kathua and Reasi have been shifted to newly constructed buildings while GPs of Udhampur, Shopian, Kupwara and Doda have also recently been shifted to new campuses.
According to statistics, central assistance of Rs. 5811.00 lakh (Civil component Rs.1863.00 lakh and M/Equip Rs. 3948.00 lakh) has been released to the concerned executing agencies during the current financial year. Under civil component, an amount of Rs.290.00 lakh (GP Kulgam Rs.96.00 lakh, GP Doda Rs.150.58 lakh and GP Ramban Rs.14.00 lakh) only has been incurred, so far, during the current financial year, the meeting was informed.
It was further informed that tenders for procurement of machinery and equipment have been floated and executing agencies have been asked to complete the GPs of Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur, Kupwara, Shopian, Bandipora, Ramban and Poonch.
Principal Secretary directed that revised As in respect of the incomplete Polytechnic buildings kept by the Department in abeyance need to be restored for their early completion. Dr Samoon asked the JKPCC and CEs of R&B Jammu and Kashmir to complete the works of Government Polytechnic buildings expeditiously so as to enable SDD to shift the Polytechnics to new campuses.
Principal Secretary also asked the executing agencies to furnish justification for additional requirement of funds along with DPR, so that the proposal is recommended to the Committee constituted for revision of AA cost of the projects.
Principal Secretary complimented the SDD officials for 100 per cent admissions. He stressed on the need to shift to regular campuses of all remaining polytechnics at Kishtwar and Poonch. Principal Secretary directed for completion of Kishtwar polytechnic building by March, Udhampur polytechnic by next month and Poonch by March next year.
Dr Samoon also directed for completion of new polytechnics at Kupwara, Bandipora and Shopian to complete civil works within next 3 months with additional funding.