Srinagar, Oct 17 (KNS): Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education Sakeena Masood Itoo on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the 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 (R&B) Department, Banihal Division. The Minister was accompanied by MLA Banihal Sajad Shaheen, Director School Education Jammu Dr Naseem Javaid Chowdhary and other senior officers.

Addressing a public gathering, Itoo said the government was committed to strengthening educational infrastructure, expanding access to higher education and improving healthcare services, particularly in remote and rural areas.

Responding to issues raised by the MLA, she said the government was taking necessary measures to address developmental needs in Banihal. She added that efforts were underway to fulfil the long-pending demand for a university campus in the area to help students, particularly girls, pursue higher education closer to home.

The Minister announced 10 additional smart classrooms for the Banihal constituency, supplementing the existing network of 76 smart classrooms and 104 ICT labs.

She informed that 543 developmental works had been completed or taken up in the district, including 113 additional classrooms, 34 computer labs, 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 the proposal for developing degree colleges would be considered, while the establishment of a nursing college would be pursued subject to the availability and finalisation of suitable land.

Highlighting staffing requirements, 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.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

In the healthcare sector, the Minister announced that administrative approval had been granted for installing a high-end CT scan machine at Community Health Centre (CHC) Banihal, with tendering proceedings 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 of the Omar Abdullah-led government. The focus, she said, was to strengthen emergency healthcare facilities and ensure timely treatment of accident victims during the crucial golden hour.

Regarding the shortage of medical personnel in remote areas, Itoo assured that priority would be given to far-flung health institutions and dispensaries while making postings from the newly cleared panel of 400 Medical Officers.

The Minister also handed over appointment orders to 10 newly appointed Anganwadi Workers of Block Banihal.

Later, she visited CHC Banihal and inspected the emergency unit, inpatient wards, dialysis centre and diagnostic facilities. She interacted with patients, enquired about their treatment and the availability of free medicines, and reviewed the functioning of healthcare services.

Itoo directed the hospital management to ensure round-the-clock medical response, adequate availability of essential medicines and patient-friendly service delivery.

Interacting with media persons, the Minister highlighted the government’s initiatives over the past two years to strengthen public education and healthcare institutions and address key developmental priorities.

Earlier, 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 Government Model Higher Secondary School (Boys), Banihal, besides other works related to education, healthcare and road connectivity. (KNS)