Jammu, Jan 29: Jammu and Kashmir government is likely to establish nine more hostels across the state for providing lodging and boarding facilities to the students of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities,
 Official sources said the Union Government has already sanctioned three hostels for JK and proposal for six more is under consideration. With the establishment of nine more hostels, the number of tribal hostels in the state would rise to 21.
 “We have received sanction for the three hostels proposed by the state government to Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India”, sources claimed adding that the hostels will be constructed with the central assistance in the state.
 “Union Ministry provides 100 per cent funding for the construction of girls hostels, while for boys hostels the state and center share cost on 50:50 per cent basis,” they added.
 Sources said three hostels sanctioned by the union government will be constructed at Poonch, Rajouri and Kulgam. “We are expecting nod for establishment of six more hostels at Samba, Baramulla, Pulwama and Bandipora”, sources claimed.
 They said hostels already approved will start functioning in private rented building by next academic year as all other formalities have been completed. “Other six hostels are likely to start functioning in the year 2013-14 as their approval is awaited. Positively construction for all these hostels will start in 2013-14”, they added.    
 They said boys hostels Kulgam has already transferred 15 kanal of land to the Gujjar Bakerwal Advisory Board and work on construction of boundary wall has been completed.
 For hostel building at Baramulla, 12 kanal of state land has been transferred, while for Samba Boys Hostel 10 kanal of state land has been identified. Nearly 3.5 kanal of land for Boys Hostel in Pulwama district and 15 kanal land for Bandipora Girls and Boys Hostels have also been identified and the concerned District Development Commissioners (DDCs) have been asked to handover the possession of the land to Gujjar Bakerwal Advisory Board within one month. Similarly, process for identification of land in Poonch and Rajouri has been taken up.
 Vice-Chairman, Gujjar Bakerwal Advisory Board Choudhary Bashir Ahmed Naaz said that out of existing 13 hostels, 3 hostels will be established for  girls. “Efforts are being initiated to construct more hostels for girls in different parts of state”, he said.
 Naaz said these hostels will prove to be a boon for tribal students as many of them are forced to leave studies due to financial constraints.
 Pertinently, 13 residential tribal hostels have been presently constructed in some parts of the state.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 IST