The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has slammed the Jammu and Kashmir government over delay of the completion of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) buildings sanctioned over the past many years.

The issue was raised in the Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting convened by MHRD on March 10 in New Delhi. The meeting was convened to review the functioning and implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme in the state.

As per the minutes of the meeting, MHRD has pulled up the state representatives present in the meeting over the poor performance of the J&K government for proper implementation of the scheme. It was revealed in the meeting that construction of KGBV buildings was going at snail’s pace since 2009.

“Construction of 30 KGBV buildings are still to begin and construction of 53 buildings is under progress,” read the minutes of the meeting released by MHRD.

There are 99 KGBV schools sanctioned by MHRD for the state out of which two are yet to be made operational

“In the last PAB, the state committed for completing all the pending construction works of all KGBVs by March 2017. But it has failed to complete the construction.

“State is yet to operationalise two KGBVs, one at Kharoo, Leh and another one in Kishtwar district.”

MHRD has also expressed its displeasure over the state government’s failure to fill the vacant posts in KGBV schools since the inception of the scheme in the state.

“2453, i.e. 37 per cent, seats are lying vacant in operational KGBVs. Five operational KGBVs are being run as day schools,” read the minutes of meeting.

As per the figures mentioned in PAB minutes, 33 posts of wardens, 44 accountants, 27 watchmen, 19 peons, 15 head cooks and 69 assistant cooks are lying vacant in all operational KGBV schools.

MHRD has asked the state to complete the work by end of March 2018 and expedite filling of all vacant posts.

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