JAMMU, Mar 5: Education Minister Sakina Itoo today assured the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that the construction work on a model school building in Kathua’s Lohai Malhar area, as envisioned by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat programme in 2024, will begin soon.
The Minister said that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the project has been prepared and funds have also been sanctioned but due to some bottlenecks, the project could not be taken up earlier.
However, she said, “We will start the construction work on this project soon and make it one of the most beautiful model schools across the country, as envisioned by the PM Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat programme in 2024.”
The Minister stated this in response to a question of NC legislator from Baramulla Assembly segment, Javid Hassan Beigh, after the conclusion of the question hour.
Raising this issue, Beigh claimed that some officers of the region are not even respecting the commitments of the Government.
Citing example, he said, in response to an appeal of a young girl from Lohai Malhar area of Kathua district regarding the deplorable condition of her school, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured the child in his popular Mann Ki Baat programme that a beautiful school would be constructed in the area soon.
Yesterday, Independent legislator from Bani Assembly segment, Dr Rameshwar Singh, had also raised the same issue.
Replying to the concerns of the legislators, Minister Sakina Itoo today said, “I accept that the project has been delayed due to some bottlenecks earlier. But let me assure this House that I have taken up this issue with the Education Secretary and other concerned officers myself.
“I am told that the DPR of this project is ready and funds have also been sanctioned. Very soon, we will construct one of the most beautiful model schools in Lohai Malhar, as envisioned by the Prime Minister in his Mann Ki Baat programme on the appeal of a young girl from the area through social media.”
Itoo said that former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has also discussed this project with her and asked her to complete it at the earliest.
“So, be assured that very soon, we are going to turn PM’s commitment into a reality,” she said.
Pertinently, Seerat Naaz, a Class 3rd student from Lohai-Malhar village in Kathua district, had appealed to Prime Minister Modi in a video message in April 2023, urging him to ensure basic facilities at her school.
Unhappy with the deteriorating condition of her school, Naaz highlighted issues such as students being forced to sit on dirty floors, which stained their uniforms.
She also pointed out the poor condition of toilets, problems of open defecation, and the incomplete construction of the school building.
A project worth Rs 91 lakh was sanctioned to rebuild the school with modern amenities, but construction work was stalled due to administrative approval issues, with the contractor halting the work.
