Venkatesh Kumar, Samoon review RUSA works

RUSA utilizes Rs 132 cr on various components

JAMMU, NOVEMBER 15: The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), lead by Member Project Approval Board RashtriyaUchchatar Shiksha Abhiya (RUSA), Prof B Venkatesh Kumar reviewed the physical and financial status of RUSA works.

The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Asgar Hassan Samoon, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University, Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi, Consultant RUSA, Nagpaul, Director RUSA MS Check, Registrars of Cluster Universities, representatives from Public Works Department,JKPCC, Principals of Colleges of the State and other concerned Officers.

It was given out in the meeting that out of total released funds of Rs 189.07 crore, Rs 131.88 crore have been incurred on various components like Cluster Universities, Infrastructure Grants to Universities & Colleges, Creation of Universities by Conversion of Colleges into Cluster, New Professional Colleges, Up-gradation of existing Degree Colleges to Model Colleges, Vocationalization of Higher Education and Preparatory Grants up to ending October, 2017 by the Mission Directorate, RUSA, J&K.

Meeting was informed that under RUSA, the MHRD approved an allocation of Rs 269.01 crore for six components as total outlay for last three years of 12th Five Year Plan on the basis of 90:10 sharing pattern.

It was further given out in the meeting that the Utilization Certificates (UCs) of Rs 126.70 crore in respect of various components including Cluster Universities have already been submitted to the MRHD for their appropriate action.

Detailed discussions were also held on various issues including physical progress of works of Universities and Colleges, status of geo-tagging, filling up of information on Reforms and Fund Tracker, submission of high resolution videos and photos on best practices, documentation of outcome of 3 years RUSA and status of curriculum reforms in Universities.

Addressing the meeting, Prof B Venkatesh Kumar asked the concerned to work with utmost dedication and utilize the released funds in full and judiciously. He also asked them to achieve the fixed targets in full and furnish UCs to the concerned quarters well in time.

He also instructed the concerned to start process for filling up vacant posts and instructed them to advertise posts of all the categories including teaching staff like Professors within a fortnight.

MrVenkastesh wished that the existing Universities of the State should be the top Universities of the Country for which he asked the concerned to more work and honestly. He asked the concerned to convene meetings, interactions with other colleges through Video Conferences. “In case, Video Conference facility is not available at the College level then approach or contact with the respective District Development Commissioner Offices for the same,” he added.

On the occasion, Prof B Venkatesh Kumar also informed that 4-Day workshop will be conducted in the State in which prominent scholars of the Country are to be expected to participate.

Principal Secretary, Higher Education Samoon also address the meeting and called for establishment of Skill Universities in the State of J&K on the pattern of Hiryana State. He directed the Principals of the Colleges to interact with the students directly and try to see their hidden talent and explore that in a proper way.

AsgarSamoon asked the RUSA Management to work with utmost dedication and ensure all facilities including health care, sanitation and drinking water to the students. He also asked the Principals of Colleges to remain available in their respective Colleges for late hours to ensure quality education to the students.

The Principal Secretary also asked the executing agencies to speed up the pace of work on all ongoing works and complete them in a stipulated time frame and also asked them for judicious use of funds and their full utilization.