Akshay Azad
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 7: As stalemate is still persisting in Jammu and Kashmir over government formation, several development works including implementation of Rashtriya Ucchtar Shiksha Abhiyaan (RUSA), have been delayed.
Sources informed Early Times that for the implementation of centrally sponsored scheme RUSA, aimed at establishing cluster universities in Jammu and Kashmir, state government had constituted State Higher Education Council (SHEC) with Chief Minister as its chairman, who had all the powers to release the funds sanctioned by Union Human Resource Development Ministry to implement the scheme.
"For the past few months, the former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was busy in election process due to which no meeting of SHEC was held nor were any of the funds released," sources said.
They informed that a total of nearly Rs. 23.37 crores have been released by Union HRD Ministry for implementation of scheme, but not a single penny has been utilized so far.
The plan of RUSA implementation included establishment of two cluster universities in the state, one each in Jammu and Srinagar.
"The total amount of Rs 23.37 Crore also includes Rs 8.23 Crore for establishment of two cluster universities, one each in Jammu and Srinagar. Rs. 8.23 Crore was released by Union HRD Ministry but the amount is still lying with the state's Finance department and is yet to reach the official account of SHEC, resulting in delay in establishment of cluster universities", sources added.
An official of the Higher Education department said that for the past nearly one and half month, same amount has been withheld by Finance department. "Moreover, Rs 23 Crore, included infrastructure grants to Jammu and Kashmir University, amount for up-gradation of three existing colleges to Model Degree Colleges, infrastructure grants to 22 colleges and funds for vocationalization of Higher Education", sources said, adding that but not a single penny from the amount sanctioned has been utilized by state government.
They said after the new government is formed, the funds would be released if Chief Minister (Chairman of SHEC) chairs the meeting along with Vice-Chairman, who happens to be Higher Education Minister. |
