In a bid to modernise the existing polytechnic colleges of the State, Technical Education Minister Yashpal Arya convened a meeting with their officials on Saturday. During the meeting, he instructed them to send requisition to the recruitment board against the vacant posts and procure equipment for the laborartory as well. Arya further appealed to the public representatives, including MlAs, to identify the land so that the State Government would open new poly-technic to ensure that the youth are groomed to be skilled manpower to get employment in nearby localities. With this, we would like to check on migration as well, he said. He instructed secretary technical education to arrange a meeting with district magistrates through video conferencing within one month.
Arya said that there is tremendous scope for employment in technical education. He thus categorically instructed the poly-technic institutes principal to implement norms of All india Technical Education council (AITEC) shortly so that enrolled students’ future would be bright. It has been noticed that few Poly-technic institutes do not have building and having less number of faculty which is why AITEC is not recognising the institutes. This results in the degrees obtained by the students being recongnised by the industry. He has instructed the secretary and director Technical education to appoint faculties, construct building and laboratories of polytechnic institutes in remote and border areas on war -footing. He asked all to monitor the progress at regular intervals. He will meet with district magistrates through video conferencing in one month. He also asked the principals of the polytechnic institutes, who have not been recognised by AITEC, to make their best efforts for recognition and if they fail to act the government would take stringent actions against them.
Secretary Technical Education RK Sudhanshu was instructed to arrange a meeting with district magistrate through video conferencing and also make correspondence between DMs and MlAs to seek their help in identification of land for the construction of building for the institutes.
Arya also spoke to the MlA VIkram Singh Negi to arrange land for building in Kandikhaal. To fill the gap of faculties, he has asked for 25 percent fresh recruitment and remaining 75 percent would be filled through promotion. For the recruitment of lecturers walk-in interviews should be conducted. The posts which fall under the jurisdiction of Public Service Commission should be sent to the commission. Currently 21 poly-technic institutes buildings are being constructed at the cost of Rs115 crore through NABARD and 28 such institutes are being constructed at the cost of Rs91 crore through SPA. During the meeting, it has been disclosed that Rs35 crore has been earmarked for the procurement of tools and machines. The minister asked for utilization of the funds to upgrade the laboratories of the institute.
He also asked them to make provision of Rs2.34 crore for the construction of boundary walls of Pauri Engineering College in supplementary budget. He also asked them to make arrangement of budget for the construction of hostel in Dwarhaat engineering college. During the meeting, secretary technical education RK Sudhanshu, additional secretary Technical Education Akshat Gupta, vice-chancellor Uttrakhand Technical University (UTU) PK Garg, secretary Provincial Education council Hari Singh, convenor Technical education Dr Ashish Uniyal, section officer DC Punetha were present.