PAC reviews functioning of Education Deptt Calls for expediting infrastructure projects to avoid cost escalation; Seeks rationalization of teachers

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 13: Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Legislative Assembly today asked Education Department to speed up pace of work on all ongoing and new infrastructure and allied projects for timely completion to avoid cost escalation.
The PAC passed these instructions during a meeting convened to review the functioning of education department and to examine Comptroller Audit Generals (CAGs) Education Department Audit Report 2014-15.
During the meeting, threadbare discussions were held on ensuring proper utilization of funds released under several State and Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Mid-Day Meal scheme besides rationalizing teaching staff.
Chairman of the Committee, Mian Altaf Ahmed along with the members Nawang Rigzin Jora, Choudhary Sukhnandan Kumar, Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Rajesh Gupta and R S Pathania suggested measures for increasing enrollment in Government Schools with special focus on remote and far flung areas.
The Committee asked the concerned to furnish a detailed report on un-expended funds for scrutiny of the committee. It also asked for expediting tendering process so that the targets fixed are achieved in full.
The Committee asked for ensuring regularity and punctuality of teaching and non teaching staff in educational institutions. It also asked for providing quality education, maintaining sanitation in and around the schools besides ensuring adequate drinking water facilities in every schools of the state.
Principal Secretary Education Shaleen Kabra briefed the meeting about activities of Education Department and the Action Taken Report about CAGs Audit Paras pertaining to the department.
The Committee dropped some Audit Paras after satisfactory reply from the concerned department.
Among others, State Project Director, SSA & RMSA, Directors Education of both Jammu/Kashmir Divisions, Additional Secretary Education, besides senior officers of Education, CAGs and Assembly Secretariat were present in the meeting.