Srinagar, Sep 26: Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather today said the Degree College Pampore would be made one of the Model Institution in the State adding that available land in the town shall be transferred to the Higher Education Department at an earliest for building requisite infrastructure for the college.
 Interacting with the representatives of various social, religious and cultural organizations of saffron town Pampore, Rather while expressing Government’s commitment to provide equal opportunities of development and justice to the people of the State irrespective of region, religion or political affiliations, said the demand for a Degree college at Pampore was justified and over due as there are about two higher secondary schools in close proximity of the town including seven Higher Secondary Schools existing in the town. He said it was a ‘mistake’ on the part of previous Government to ignore this genuine demand of the people.
 Rather said unlike previous Government, requisite staff and provision for infrastructure had been sanctioned first before announcing new degree colleges. He said previous Government had announced opening of 18 degree colleges “without staff which was a mockery in the name of a college.” It was the present Government which later on sanctioned both teaching and non teaching staff for each college to make these educational institutions functional.
 The deputationists sought introduction of Science and Commerce streams in the newly announced degree college adding that this would minimize pressure of students on the city colleges.
 The deputationists also discussed with the Finance Minister some other issues including implementation of Centrally Sponsored Saffron Mission.
 Rather assured that all the possibilities shall be explored to revive the Saffron Industry. He said Saffron of Pampore was World famous and had vast market across the globe adding Government shall provide better marketing facilities to the Saffron growers and traders of Pampore.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST