Chief Secretary fixes accountability for completion, utilization of hostel buildings across J&K

Srinagar, Jun 3: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, Wednesday chaired a meeting to assess the status of hostels constructed by various departments across Jammu and Kashmir and to devise a roadmap for making all such assets functional and beneficial for the intended beneficiaries at the earliest.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department; Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department; Managing Director, Samagra Shiksha; Managing Director, RUSA; Directors of School Education, Jammu and Kashmir, besides other concerned officers.
Taking a comprehensive review of the hostel infrastructure created by different departments over the years, the Chief Secretary expressed concern over a number of hostel buildings that are yet to be made operational despite substantial public investment.
He emphasized that assets created through public funds must be put to optimal use and directed all concerned departments to take immediate measures for completion and operationalization of such facilities.
The Chief Secretary impressed upon the School Education Department to fix accountability at the district level by making the respective Chief Education Officers (CEOs) responsible for ensuring completion and operationalization of hostel projects falling within their jurisdictions.
He further directed that a dedicated mentoring officer be designated for each hostel to closely monitor progress and facilitate timely resolution of issues hindering their completion and functioning.
Underscoring the need for efficient utilization of public resources, the Chief Secretary urged the departmental heads and Directors to focus on making all completed hostel buildings functional without further delay. He observed that considerable public funds had been invested in the creation of these assets and, therefore, they should not be allowed to remain idle or underutilized.
He also called upon the departments to undertake a detailed assessment of all hostel structures that may not be suitable for their originally intended purpose and explore alternative strategies for their productive utilization in the larger public interest. He stressed that every public asset should contribute meaningfully towards social welfare and human development.
The Chief Secretary further directed all concerned departments to furnish comprehensive details regarding the sanctioned capacity, present occupancy and enrollment status of each hostel established under their respective schemes so that informed decisions could be taken regarding their effective utilization and future management.
During the meeting, the Commissioner Secretary, School and Higher Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma presented a detailed overview of hostel infrastructure under the sector, including functional and non-functional hostels as well as those presently under construction.
He informed the meeting that hostels have been established across districts under Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) and other schemes, including boys’ and girls’ hostels catering to students in schools and higher educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.
Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sarmad Hafeez, also presented a detailed assessment of hostel facilities developed for students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Pahari community, outlining their current status and measures being undertaken to improve their utilization.
The representatives of the Tribal Affairs Department apprised the meeting about the availability, occupancy status and operational readiness of hostels established by the department for tribal students. He also provided details of hostels presently under construction and those awaiting operationalization.
The departments assured the meeting that concerted efforts are being made to make all such facilities functional at the earliest in accordance with the directions issued by the Chief Secretary Wednesday.