Govt earmarks Rs 6.18 crore for 277 PM SHRI schools in J&K for 2024-25 FY

Srinagar, Oct 2: The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), Ministry of Education (MoE) has earmarked funds worth Rs 6.18 crore for the major face-lifting of 277 schools during the year 2023-24.

As per the official figures, Rs 6.18 crore has been allocated for the development of 277 schools across the J&K under Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI).

PM SHRI School is a centrally-sponsored scheme launched by the Government of India (GoI).

This initiative is intended to develop more than 14,500 PM SHRI Schools managed by central, state, and UT governments besides local bodies.

Of the 277 schools, 16 schools have been enlisted in Anantnag district while 18 schools in Budgam and 13 schools in Bandipora will be given a facelift under the scheme.

Other schools include 36 in Baramulla, Doda 18, Ganderbal six, Jammu 16, Kathua 12, Kishtwar one, Kulgam 10, Kupwara 43, Pulwama five, Poonch 11, Rajouri 18, Ramban six, Reasi nine, Samba six, Shopian one, Srinagar one, and Udhampur 12.

The PM SHRI schools scheme was launched by PM Narendra Modi on September 5, 2022, with an aim to develop more than 14,500 schools across India.

Through this scheme, already existing schools would be selected, strengthened, and upgraded and will aim towards delivering quality teaching to enhance the cognitive development of the students.

The idea of the scheme is to create nurturing, holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st-century skills.

An official said that after the withdrawal of the engineering wing from the school education department, the execution of work in schools selected under the PM SHRI scheme will be executed by the Rural Engineering Wing (REW) of the Rural Development Department (RDD).

Earlier, Secretary RDD and Panchayati Raj, Muhammad Aijaz Asad convened a meeting to review the progress of works approved under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme.

The scheme is being implemented through Samagra Shiksha for financial year 2023-24.

Of the 277 schools, 158 schools will be developed in the Kashmir division while 119 identified schools will be developed in the Jammu division respectively.

As per official figures, the execution of works will include construction of toilet blocks for Boys and girls besides taking up major repairs of schools.

During the meeting, the officers discussed the administrative approvals and technical sanctions from the concerned authorities to facilitate the timely completion of the projects.

During the meeting, Secretary RDD asked the officers to focus on collaboration between the departments to address these issues effectively and ensure that the objectives of the PM SHRI scheme are met.

The Secretary urged the Superintending Engineers to finalise modalities for the implementation of the schemes and conduct a thorough analysis of projects to expedite the tendering process.

An official said the RDD is yet to decide about the tendering process as it was not clear yet whether the tendering process should be done at the block level, district level, division level, or UT level.

“The decision will be taken very soon and execution of the projects will commence as early as possible,” the official said.