Dehradun: Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan expressed strong displeasure over the slow progress of degree college construction works in Uttarakhand. He instructed the concerned officials to set deadlines for construction projects and complete them within the stipulated timeframe. Additionally, he asked officials to work on developing at least one examination center in every district of the state equipped to conduct computer-based competitive exams for the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC).
Proposals from various departments were discussed and approved during the Expenditure Finance Committee meeting held at the Secretariat on Thursday under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. Reviewing the construction works of degree colleges under the Higher Education Department, he expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress of the implementing agency, Mandi Parishad. He directed officials to establish timelines for all construction tasks and submit a progress roadmap.
Priority for Construction of Classrooms and Laboratories
The Chief Secretary emphasized that construction work should be completed in phases. Keeping in view the immediate needs of students, priority should be given to constructing classrooms alongside laboratories. He also instructed that projects be prioritized based on necessity and importance so that academic activities remain unaffected.
Emphasis on Building Computer-Based Examination Centers in Every District
During the review of examination hall construction in degree colleges, the Chief Secretary asked officials to explore the feasibility of designing exam halls compatible with computer-based testing systems. He directed that efforts be made to establish at least one such examination center in each district where competitive examinations conducted by the Staff Selection Commission and UKSSSC can be held digitally.
He stated that developing such examination centers will enhance the state’s capacity to conduct exams and provide better facilities to candidates.
ITI Buildings Must Have All Necessary Amenities
The Chief Secretary also instructed that all necessary basic infrastructure facilities be ensured during the construction of Industrial Training Institute (ITI) buildings. He noted that essential amenities in these buildings are vital for providing quality education and training to trainees.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, ADGP (Prisons) Abhinav Kumar, Secretaries Sridhar Babu Addanki, C. Ravishankar, Dr. Ranveer Singh Chauhan, Additional Secretaries Manuj Goyal and Narendra Singh Bhandari, along with other senior department officials.
