KL Report
SRINAGAR
J&K Planning & Development Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra revealed that the two Central Universities in Kashmir and Jammu sanctioned in 2011 are operational. In fact, the one in Jammu has started constructing a building as well.
Sadhotra said 4254 kanal and 14 Marla of Forest land was acquired for establishment of the Central University of Jammu for which Rs 22.45 crore stands released as compensation to the Forest Department. Funds to the tune of Rs 4.52 crore stand released to the Deputy Commissioner, Samba for final award for the Private and Evacuee land measuring 625 kanal and 05 Marla.
The University has recently started construction of the building for Directorate of Distance Learning, initially to be used to pursue the academic activities, residential accommodation for faculty, students’ alongwith associated services and utilities at an estimated cost of Rs 116.29 crore. The University has released an amount of Rs 69.37 crore for undertaking the infrastructural development, against which an amount of Rs 20 crore stands utilized so far.
In case of Central University of Kashmir, Sadhotra informed that it has already taken over possession of the 503 acres of land in Kurhama, Tulmulla and Zarigund villages of Ganderbal. An amount of Rs 20.50 crore stands released by the Central Government for infrastructural development of the University.
The fencing wall and site office has been constructed at the campus to provide logistic support to the University officials involved in the construction at an estimated cost of Rs 11.85 crore, he said.
Sadhotra informed the house that four other universities in the state – University of Jammu, University of Kashmir, Islamic University of Science & Technology Awantipora and Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri are being paid grant-in-aid out of plan / non-plan funds. Besides, the Universities of Kashmir and Jammu being old Universities have started their campuses in district headquarters facilitating the students to pursue higher studies.
