Funds sanctioned for college building likely to lapse, alleged former MLA Darhal

GNS ONLINE:
SHYAM SOOD
RAJOURI, MARCH 30:–Former Cabinet Minister and former MLA Darhal Assembly Constituency in Rajouri district in a Tweet on Wednesday expressed his concern about expected lapse of funds (Rs 10 crores) sanctioned for the construction of a government degree college (GDC) at Kotranka.
Chowdhry Zulfikar Ali, former MLA alleged that the district administration has failed miserably to identify suitable land for the construction of GDC building.
Pertinent to mention here that the GDC came into being at Kotranka in Kotranka sub-district in Rajouri district on May 28 in 2019 with an aim to provide an opportunity to the youths of this hilly region to pursue higher education with determination and contribute to the societal development of this remote area.
The land for the construction of the college building with an estimated cost of Rs 13 crore was initially identified in the Kandi village.
But in 2020 the land was rejected & found not suitable for any construction by a team of experts from the experts of Geology and Mining Department.
Later, on the direction of the then DDC, Rajesh Kumar Shavan, 41 Kanal of land was selected by the Revenue department in the same village (Kandi) at another location.
In the month of March Rajesh Kumar Shavan again visited the proposed site and after consultation with the locals, Revenue officials, and officials of Geology and Mining Department, directed the JKPCC officials to start the work on the project within one week to benefit the students at the earliest.
The JKPCC was asked to start the work on the project within one week to benefit the students at the earliest
But, as per reports, the construction work of GDC building couldn’t be started for the reasons known to the JKPCC officials and the district administration.
In another Tweet, Ch. Zulfikar Ali has urged the district administration to transfer the land belonging to the Irrigation Department at Kotranka for the GDC building so that the students of the area don’t suffer anymore.
The college began its functioning in the 4 room accommodation, made available by the administration of Government Higher Secondary School Kotranka, and the deployment of one Assistant Professor, one laboratory assistant, and one lab bearer by the Govt Higher Education Department in 2019.