SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday directed all departments in Jammu and Kashmir to expedite the completion and operationalisation of hostel infrastructure created under various government schemes, stressing that public assets should not remain idle or underutilised.
Chairing a review meeting in Srinagar, Dulloo assessed the status of hostels constructed by different departments and sought a roadmap to make all such facilities functional for their intended beneficiaries at the earliest.
He directed the School Education Department to fix accountability at the district level by making Chief Education Officers responsible for ensuring the completion and operationalisation of hostel projects within their jurisdictions. He also called for the appointment of dedicated mentoring officers for each hostel to monitor progress and address issues affecting their functioning.
The Chief Secretary instructed departments to furnish details regarding the sanctioned capacity, occupancy and enrolment status of all hostels to facilitate informed decisions on their utilisation and future management.
Dulloo also asked departments to assess hostel buildings that may not be suitable for their original purpose and explore alternative options for their productive use in the public interest.
During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary, School and Higher Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma, presented the status of hostel infrastructure under various schemes, including Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), covering functional, non-functional and under-construction facilities across Jammu and Kashmir.
Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sarmad Hafeez, reviewed hostels established for students belonging to Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and the Pahari community, while representatives of the Tribal Affairs Department briefed the meeting on hostels for tribal students, including their occupancy status and operational readiness.
The departments informed the meeting that efforts are underway to make all hostel facilities functional at the earliest in line with the directions issued by the Chief Secretary.
