EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Feb 16: Despite availability of funds, the construction of four girls’ hostel buildings in several districts of Kashmir valley and one in Kargil district is yet to begin, following which the Higher Education department has reportedly mulling to divert funds for the construction of other hostels.
According to the documents available, under Prime Minister Development Package (PMDP) Rs. 50 Crore was allocated for construction of girls’ hostels in seven degree colleges including GDC Paloura, GDC Bhaderwah, GDC Rajouri, GDC Bemina, GCW Kupwara, GCW Pulwama, GDC Kargil.
Former Minister for Higher Education Altaf Bukhari on 30th May, 2017 had released an amount of Rs. 10 Crores for the construction of girls hostels under PMDP.
However, according to documents, the progress of three girls hostels at GDC Paloura, GDC Bhaderwah and GDC Rajouri by JK Housing Board was ongoing whereas the progress at four girls hostel in Kashmir division including GDC Bemina, GDC Pulwama, GCW Kupwara and GDC Kargil was found almost negligible, despite availability of funds.
The Housing Board is the executing agency and was reportedly asked to submit the actual work done cost of the four girls’ hostels, against the funds released by concerned College Principals.
The Higher Education department has reportedly mulling to re-appropriate the funds for the completion of girls hostel at GDC Paloura, GDC Bhaderwah and GDC Rajouri. However sources said that the re-appropriation of funds of one college hostels to other didn’t fall under the prerogative of the Higher Education department as it holds no authority while the College Principals do.
According to the funding under PMDP, the funds for the hostel construction were approved to the College Principals, who were the authority for the funds and not the Higher Education department. “The initial construction design approved by the authorities for the hostels was changed for the construction of GDC Paloura, GDC Bhaderwah and GDC Rajouri but the same design was not approved for the construction of hostels in Kashmir valley, due to which the construction work didn’t happen”, sources said, adding that if the department would re-appropriate funds, it would be a violation of the laid norms.
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