Srinagar: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education Sakeena Masood Itoo on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a new building of Government Model Higher Secondary School (Boys), Banihal, to be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹10.44 crore.
The project is being executed by the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department, Banihal Division. During the visit, the minister also announced 10 additional smart classrooms for the Banihal constituency and outlined measures to strengthen education and healthcare infrastructure in the area.
Itoo said the government was committed to improving educational facilities, expanding access to higher education and strengthening healthcare services, particularly in remote and rural areas.
She said the government was taking steps to address the long-pending demand for a university campus in Banihal to help students, especially girls, pursue higher education closer to home.
The 10 additional smart classrooms will supplement the existing network of 76 smart classrooms and 104 information and communication technology (ICT) laboratories in the district.
The minister said 543 developmental works had been executed or taken up in the district, including 113 additional classrooms, 34 computer laboratories, 112 girls’ toilet units, 33 libraries, 18 science laboratories, 18 resource rooms and 58 solar power units.
On demands for degree colleges and a nursing college in Banihal, Itoo said proposals for degree colleges would be considered, while the establishment of a nursing college would be pursued subject to the availability and finalisation of suitable land.
She said 526 lecturers had been recruited and posted against 727 posts referred for recruitment. Measures were also being taken to fill vacancies of principals, Zonal Education Officers and Chief Education Officers.
In the healthcare sector, Itoo said administrative approval had been granted for installing a high-end CT scan machine at Community Health Centre (CHC) Banihal, with the tendering process being expedited.
She said the establishment and upgradation of hospitals at Ramsoo and other locations along National Highway-44, including the trauma hospital, remained a priority to strengthen emergency medical services and ensure timely treatment of accident victims.
On staff shortages in remote areas, the minister said priority would be given to far-flung health institutions and dispensaries while making postings from a newly cleared panel of 400 medical officers.
During the visit, she also handed over appointment orders to 10 newly appointed Anganwadi Workers in Banihal block.
Later, Itoo inspected CHC Banihal, reviewing its emergency unit, inpatient wards, dialysis centre and diagnostic facilities. She interacted with patients and enquired about their treatment and the availability of free medicines.
The minister directed hospital management to ensure round-the-clock medical response, adequate stocks of essential medicines and patient-friendly services.
MLA Banihal Sajad Shaheen thanked the minister for funding allocated to the constituency across sectors. He said ₹30.60 crore had been provided under the UT Capex budget, including ₹10.44 crore for the school building and other works related to education, healthcare and road connectivity.
The minister was accompanied by Director School Education Jammu Dr Naseem Javaid Chowdhary, Director Health Services Jammu Dr Poonam Sethi and other officials.
