451 posts created for 22 new degree colleges

Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik in reply to a question of Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy informed the Legislative Council that the Government has sent a proposal to the Union Government for opening of Women’s Degree College at uncovered district headquarters of the State.

He said there is a pressing demand from the people all over the State for Women Degree Colleges.

Mr Malik said at present there are 95 degree colleges sanctioned in the State out of which 73 degree colleges are functional and the recently sanctioned 22 degree colleges including one degree college at Thathri and Doda district are likely to be made functional during the ensuing Academic session.

Regarding Degree College Doda, the Minister said that the infrastructure like the administrative block including library, science block, 8 lecturers halls, BCA Lab and Chowkidars hut are in place in the said college. He said that in addition to this construction of examination hall and lecture theater have been taken at an estimated cost of ` 113.50 lakh, besides the boundary wall of the college is likely to be completed during the current financial year at an estimated cost of ` 43.13 lakh.

In reply to another question by Haji Ali Mohammad Bhat, Mr Malik said that sufficient staff has been provided as per student roll requirement in Degree College Ganderbal. He said out of 11 sanctioned posts 7 are filled on regular basis and against remaining 4 posts, candidates have been engaged on academic arrangements.

He said the vacant posts of the college have been referred to the recruiting agencies and will be filled on receipt of selections.

In reply to yet another question of Ravinder Kumar Sharma, he said that 451 posts both teaching and non-teaching have been created for all the newly sanctioned 22 degree colleges of the State for making them fully functional.

Regarding status of Degree College Nowshera and Sunderbani, the Minister said that both the colleges are presently functioning in Higher Secondary School Nowshera and Govt Middle School, Sunderbani.

Mr Malik said the land measuring 99 kanals and 16 marals for Degree College at Nowshera has already been identified and funds to the tune of ` 50 lakh have been released in favour of concerned Deputy Commissioner. He said for the construction of Government Degree College, Nowshera ` 1.33 crore have been released in favour of constructing agency during current financial year while as ` 85 lakh have been approved under annual plan 2011-12 for construction of GDC Sunderbani.

Tourist rush in Kashmir
Scholar alleges harassment by KU

Government Degree College organizes Alumni Meet

Government Degree College, Kathua today organised Alumni Meet here.

About 250 alumni along with their families took part in the function which commenced with the lighting of lamp followed by welcome address by principal, Dr Nater Singh.

He gave details of the achievements of the college. The election of office bearers of Alumni Association was also held wherein Member of Parliament, Choudhary Lal Singh was elected as chief patron.

MoS Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, MLA Charanjeet Singh, ex-MoS Babu Singh, ex-MLA, Dhian Chand and Mukund Lal Sharma were elected as patrons.

Prof Dhian Singh was elected as its president. Dr Nater Singh, Rajeshwar Singh, Sardar Khan, Pankaj Sharma and Dr Archana Bhagat were elected as vice-president, general secretary, organising secretary, treasurer and secretary respectively.

Dr Hardev Gupta, SSP, J L Sharma, Suman Sharma, Rajinder Sharma, Dr Kewal and Dr Anirudh Rai were elected as executive members.

Speaking on the occasion, MP Choudhary Lal Singh lauded the efforts of the college for organising the meet.

He added that he will be actively engaged in providing opportunities for the students and faculty of the college.

Earlier, the alumni were welcomed with a gurad of honour by the NCC cadets.

Students of the kathua college also presented colourful cultural items. Prof Neelam Thapa conducted the proceedings of the programme while Dr N K Gupta presented the vote of thanks.

Bed scam in jammu kashmir

De-affiliation of two colleges recommended BEd scam: exam of 70 students cancelled, 4500 sheets sent to FSL

The biggest ever fraud detected in the University of Jammu (JU) during the Annual BEd examination (September/October) 2011 has placed all the stakeholders in a dilemma, as the Competent Authority has so far cancelled the examination of nearly 70 students besides, examination related record of over 4500 students has been sent for forensic examination.

Also, the Competent Authority has recommended immediate de-affiliation of two BEd colleges namely Vimal Muni College of Education, Ramgarh and K C Minerva College of Education, Rahya, which were found deeply involved in the fraud.

According to sources, the Syndicate Meeting over the Misconduct/Unfairmeans cases headed by the then Vice-Chancellor, Prof Varun Sahni, was held in the last week of December last year.

The students whose specimen signatures and photographs were not found matching with the attendance sheets and examination forms at the time of examination were called in the meeting to explain their part.

The students unleashed startling revelations before the competent authority. One of the students said she knew nothing about the examination form and never attended BEd classes.

Most of the students of KC Minerva College of Education, Raya Morh, admitted that the college itself had filled up their examination forms.

Their cases were examined over the period of two days on individual basis. All those students were from five BEd colleges including Vimal Muni, College of Education, K C Minerva College, Adarsh College of Education, Sacred Heart College of Education and Bhargava College of Education. Nearly 70 students were found guilty and all their papers were cancelled by the competent authority while 33 others were let off.

The Competent Authority had categorically recommended the de-affiliation of Vimal Muni College of Education and K C Minerva College of Education while Adarsh College of Education was let off with the letter of displeasure. Whereas, the decision over the remaining two colleges was to be taken later.

Initally, the Principal of Vimal Muni College of Education was reluctant to admit any mistake beyond a simple clerical error which the Competent Authority did not find credible.

The Competent Authority even debarred the Principal of the college from employment in the University or its affiliated institutions for a period of five years.

In the meeting, the Vice Chancellor had directed the complete scanning of entire examination record of BEd to check more such cases.

Later, an 18-member committee scanned the entire record and detected over 4500 such cases. The said record was then sent for forensic verification. The report is expected soon.

Now, the University has called the meeting of the principals of all the BEd colleges on February 16 to discuss the matter as the fraud detected was massive and engulfs nearly 40 colleges, sources said.

When contacted, one of the senior officials from University of Jammu confirmed that the specimen signatures of all the examinees of the BEd Annual Examination have been sent to the Forensic Laboratory.

"Yes, the process is going on and it will take some time to complete", he said.

When asked him about the de-affiliation of the colleges recommended by the then Vice-Chancellor, he said "we will give one more chance to these colleges to make their point during the upcoming meeting of all the principals of BEd colleges".

It is pertinent to mention here that during the course of investigation University officials discovered that majority of the examination forms were filled and signed by the college staff itself in place of students. In most of the cases, students never came to college to attend the classes after taking admission. They only came at the end of session to appear in the examination.

During the examination, when the members of flying squad found the photo of candidates mis-matching on attendance record and admit cards, they thought it to be a case of impersonation but, the investigation by internal inquiry brought out the real matter.

The then Vice Chancellor took hard stance over the matter and aksed the officials to proceed for complete examination of the record.

Owing to massive number of cases, the BEd result has been kept on hold. The JU authorities want to decide the matter at the earliest so that result could be declared.

Degree College at Ramgarh soon

Minister for Industries and Commerce, S S Slathia today said that an ambitious project for revival of world famous Basohli paintings, pashmina and kani shawls with emphasis on recreation of antique designs has been undertaken through Handloom Development Corporation to give fresh impetus to the handicrafts activities in the State.

"Antique Basohli paintings and Royal pashmina are in great demand in the international market", Slathia said while addressing a public gathering at Swankha village in Vijaypur today, adding that all the available resources are being pooled to tap the optimum potential under these segments of handicrafts sector.

He said while a special fund of ` 2.50 crore has been earmarked for revival of kani-shawl, silk handloom sarees and recreation of antique pashmina shawls, the common facility centre for development of pashmina at Samba under ASIDE project is being revived at a cost of ` 6 crore.

Slathia said that the Handloom Development Corporation has identified about 600 Royal pashmina shawls from different museums and art galleries, out of which 117 shawl designs have been recreated so far. About 50 more Royal shawls are being recreated during the current fiscal.

Responding to the demands of the villagers, the Minister announced a Degree College at Ramgarh, adding the Government Middle School Swankha will be upgraded to High School standard. He said ongoing works on Dak Bungalow and Childrens' Park will also be expedited.

Slathia asked the villagers of Swankha to provide land for construction of a Community Hall and a Panchayat Bhawan for which adequate funds have been earmarked. He said an irrigation tube well will be constructed in the village during the next fiscal, adding that all possibilities would be explored to open an extension centre of J&K Bank in the village places to visit in kashmir.

On this occasion, about 21 political activists of the village joined National Conference, who was welcomed in the party by the Minister.

Golden Jubilee celebration at GDC Boys Udhampur

Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik today said that a significant policy for meritorious students is under consideration of the government which is aimed at providing all facilities for undergoing higher and professional education including research programmes.The policy will not allow the concerned students to join any kind of services till they complete their studies in all respects. The Minister was addressing a function, organized by Government Degree College, Udhampur (Boys) in connection with Golden Jubilee celebration of the College here today. Member Legislative Assembly, Udhampur Balwant Singh Mankotia was also present on the occasion.

Expressing satisfaction over the functioning of GDC Udhampur, Malik said that this college is a premier institution of the state, efficiently functioning under the dynamic principalship of Prof. Nutan Kumar Resutra and his dedicated team of faculty. Speaking high of teacher’s dignity and status in the society and their role in building the nation, Malik said that the teacher of present times has manifold responsibilities to ensure bright future to the students. He impressed upon teachers to review their abilities with refresher courses so as to face the challenges being posed by latest trends in technology and other subjects.

Earlier, the Minister accompanied by local MLA, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Baseer Ahmad Khan, ACR Udhampur Prof. Nutan and his faculty inaugurated Herbal Garden, Bird House, Cactus Corner, Green House and College  Surveillance System in the campus.Malik planted a sapling ‘Mognalia Grandiflo’ procured from Kashmir Valley while the MLA and Principal also planted saplings on the occasion. The Minister directed for renovation and repair of various dilapidated parts in the College. MLA urged upon the Minister to solve the problem of contractual lecturers. He said the system of submission of applications every year for appointment is extremely troublesome and the rule for one time submission should be approved for the convenience of candidates concerned. Later, Principal Prof. Nutan gave a power point presentation on the achievements of the college.The Minister released college Newsletter ‘Focus’ on various innovative steps prepared by IQAC of the college.

Malik also inaugurated a symposium on ‘Quality Initiatives in Teacher Education’ organized by Bhartiya College of Education, Udhampur during his one-day tour to the district. Chairperson of the College, Madhu Khajuria and Principal Sukham Chand, faculty members and large number of students attended the symposium. Several students participated in the symposium and received participation certificates from the Minister.