JAMMU: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a meeting to review the availability of land and infrastructure for Central Government educational institutions, including Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), that are either non-functional or presently operating from temporary premises across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department; Secretary, Revenue; the Deputy Commissioners representing Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (JNV) and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS); Director School Education, Jammu/Kashmir; Regional Officer, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Jammu, besides other senior officers.
Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners from the districts participated through video conferencing.
During the review, the Chief Secretary sought detailed district-wise and institution-wise inputs regarding the current infrastructural status of these schools. He specifically enquired about the identification and availability of suitable land for the construction of permanent school buildings and the arrangements made for their temporary functioning till such infrastructure is developed.
Emphasising timely action, the Chief Secretary directed the Revenue Department to expedite the transfer of identified land parcels to the School Education Department for further leasing to the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan to facilitate early execution of works. He stressed prioritisation of districts where no KV or JNV presently exists and called for immediate commencement of academic activities in locations where temporary accommodation has already been identified.
Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma, apprised the meeting of the current status of each JNV and KV, highlighting specific requirements of land and infrastructure. He informed that out of 51 Kendriya Vidyalayas sanctioned for the districts of J&K, 37 are already functional, while 14 are in the process of establishment. Of these, three schools, including two at Ramban and Gool in district Ramban, and one at Ramkot in Kathua district, are expected to become functional shortly.
Moreover, he informed that 21 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas have been sanctioned for the Union Territory, out of which 20 are already functional from their own buildings. He added that the JNV for Srinagar district is proposed to be made functional in a building identified by the district administration, while permanent infrastructure will subsequently be developed at a suitable site to be identified for the institution.
He further informed that the remaining 11 KVs are also in advanced stages of establishment, with land identified and temporary accommodation finalized, and formal transfer processes underway. The locations include Vijaypur (Samba), Bani and Ramkot (Kathua), Panchari (Udhampur), Mughal Maidan and Nagseni (Kishtwar), Gool and Ramban (Ramban), Kakriyal and Katra (Reasi), Gulpur (Poonch), Drugmulla (Kupwara), and Ratnipora and Chandhara in Pulwama district.
The Deputy Commissioners briefed the meeting on the status of land identification and availability of buildings in their respective districts, stating that the process for transfer and allotment of land has been initiated after assessing feasibility and completing requisite formalities in coordination with the authorities of KVS and JNV.
Representatives of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti also shared updates on steps being taken to operationalize these institutions at the earliest. They expressed commitment to commencing academic activities preferably from the upcoming academic session.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to strengthening educational infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Secretary directed all stakeholders to work in close coordination to ensure early operationalisation of these institutions, thereby providing students with access to quality education through well-equipped and fully functional schools.
