While Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat congratulated Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ on being allocated the Human Resource Development ministry, observers in the state opined that various issues await redressal with active role of the MHRD in Uttarakhand. Most of these issues pertain to education and skill development.
On Friday, CM Rawat also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a portfolio as important as the MHRD to Nishank. Stating that the new Union HRD minister will lend a new aspect to education on the basis of his capability and experience, the CM opined that Uttarakhand will derive special benefit from this.
Meanwhile, observers opined that one of the major issues awaiting redressal is the absence of permanent campus of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Srinagar. The issue also reached the high court which has in the past pulled up both the Central and State Governments for delay in necessary action. Opened in 2010, NIT Srinagar continues to have a temporary campus nine years after its creation. Following talk of its being shifted to outside the state, the previous Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar had assured the Uttarakhand CM earlier in January this year that the institute will not be shifted.
However, the authorities have so far failed to facilitate a permanent campus for NIT Srinagar. Apart from redressing this issue, other education related issues related to special Basic Teacher Certificate (BTC) qualified persons and Right To Education (RTE) budget release will also have to be handled effectively.
Another important task is skill development which is considered to be especially important in Uttarakhand to enhance the earning potential of the youth also to stall migration from the mountainous regions. Earlier, before the formation of the union cabinet, the CM had held a meeting with the five MPs from Uttarakhand and stressed on the need for effectively raising the state’s issues in the parliament especially to mitigate the problem of migration.