‘Nearly 5000 Govt Schools in remote, hilly terrains have infrastructural gaps’

Riyaz Bhat

Srinagar, Nov 03 (KNO): In Jammu and Kashmir, nearly 5000 government schools located in remote and hilly terrains have infrastructural gaps.

The ‘JK Vision document 2047’ reveals that, “Infrastructure gaps exist in 5000 schools located in remote and hilly terrain.”

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Planning Department and Monitoring Department in the proposed vision has further revealed, “Considerable chunk of human resource is not skilled in the art of teaching, Over 36000 ReTs or RReTs are not possessing desired level of qualification have been regularised.”

Stating the further weaknesses, the department has said, “Development works get delayed due to hilly terrain and Climatic Conditions-snow bound areas.”

The documents also reveal that at least 1,67,106 teachers for 27.18 lakh students, i.e. one teacher for 16 students on an average are available in the region.

“Pupil teacher ratio in J&K is well within the prescribed national norms and In case of government Schools, it is 1:14,” it reads.

According to the 2047 vision document, currently an adequate number of schools, almost 28,805 for 27.18 lakh students, i.e. one school for 94 students on an average are available in Jammu and Kashmir.

“With a network of 28,805 schools, at least 23,117 government and 5,688 other management and total enrolment of over 27.18 lakh students from Pre-Primary to class XII, the School Education Department plays a vital role in the economy as well as in the overall development of the Union Territory of J&K,” it reads—(KNO)
[11/3, 21:38] Rehan Qayoom Mir: *DHSK orders disengagement of irregular part-time sweeper appointments*

*Calls for disciplinary action against officials responsible*

KNO Correspondent

Srinagar, Nov 03 (KNO): The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) has taken decisive action by ordering the immediate disengagement of all part-time sweepers who were engaged without following proper procedures. The move comes after it was discovered that these appointments were made in violation of due process.

As per the order issued by the Deputy Director of Health Services Kashmir, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), all Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendents, and Block Medical Officers across the region have been directed not to use the services of these part-time sweepers any further. They have been warned that failure to comply with this directive will hold the respective Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) personally responsible for any associated liabilities.

The order clarifies, “As per the direction of the administrative department, it has been directed to disengage all part-time sweepers who were engaged without any due/proper procedure forthwith and identify the officers/officials who were responsible for the same so that disciplinary proceedings, as warranted under rules, shall be initiated against them for making such engagements without following proper procedure.”

The Health and Medical Education (H&ME) department had on October 16 written to the DHSK Kashmir to disengage all part-time sweepers and submit an action taken report within one week.

Moreover, the process of sanitation had been outsourced, leading to unpaid wages for these part-time sweepers, as their appointments were not covered by regular budget allocations.

In response to this issue, the H&ME department directed DHSK to disengage these sweepers and submit an action report within a week. The department cited unnecessary continuation of these services, given the shift to an outsourcing model for sanitation activities, and also underlined the lack of a legal basis for retaining these part-time sweepers.

The H&ME department, in its latest communication, reiterated the need to disengage the part-time sweepers and submit an action report. It also pointed out the necessity of complying with the orders of the Supreme Court and addressing the issue of arrears for the petitioners, in line with Finance Department recommendations.

Additionally, the H&ME department expressed dissatisfaction with the incomplete information provided by DHSK regarding the issue and urged a more proactive approach in handling such matters in the future.

“… your attention is brought to your office letter No. DHSK/Legal/7078516/248-49 dated 09.10.2023 where under you have simply forwarded the information, that too incomplete, without proposing any action to be taken against the delinquent officers/officials. This post office disposal may kindly be desisted from henceforth,” the order reads—(KNO)