JAMMU, MARCH 31: Minister for Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo, today said that 1190 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) are functional in Srinagar district with 152 AWCs functioning in Central Shalteng Constituency.
The Minister informed this in reply to a question raised by Legislator Tariq Hameed Karra regarding Social Welfare schemes in the Legislative Assembly.
She said that at present there is no proposal under consideration of the government regarding opening/establishment of new Anganwadi Centres in Central Shalteng Constituency as the existing centres are catering to the needs of the target beneficiaries of the said Constituency.
The Minister further said that the that any proposal regarding opening of new AWCs that fulfil the criteria would be examined for submission to the Government of India.
She also informed that the monthly honorarium to Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) is in consonance with the honorarium provided to AWWs and AWHs at the National level on the pattern of 90:10.
She added that the Government of J&K is already giving additional state share to AWWs and AWHs and the matter would be taken up with Central Government to examine enhancement of honorarium subject to availability of resources.
Giving details about the beneficiaries covered under social welfare schemes in Central Shalteng constituency, the Social Welfare Minister informed that 6756 beneficiaries are covered under Old Age Pension, Widow Pension and various other Centrally and UT sponsored welfare schemes in the constituency.
She apprised that the old age pension under the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) and National Social Assistance Programme has recently been enhanced along with other components and the persons aged below 60 years are paid Rs.1250/- per month, between 60–79 years Rs 1500/- per month and 80 years and above @ Rs 2000/- per month.
Legislators, Balwant Singh Mankotia and Qaysir Jamsheed Lone raised supplementary questions.
Govt endeavouring to boost J&K’s educational ecosystem: Sakeena Itoo
Says Vocational, Skill based trades introduced in High, Higher Secondary Schools
Minister for Education Sakeena Itoo today informed the House that the government is endeavouring hard to boost the educational ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, with special focus on establishing all kind of facilities in the government schools.
The Minister stated this while replying to a question of Legislator, Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh in the Legislative Assembly regarding introduction of new subjects.
She informed that components relating to general studies, computer education, digital literacy and vocational skill-based education have been introduced at different levels of schooling in a phased manner depending upon the levels of institution, availability of infrastructure, trained manpower and other requisite facilities.
She added that Computer Science, Information Practices and IT as separate subjects have already been introduced in the curriculum at Higher Secondary School Level (XI to XII). Besides, vocational/skill based education with 15 different trades have also been implemented in High and Higher Secondary in alignment with the recommendations of the National Education Policy
She further said that the introduction of Artificial Intelligence as a subject/discipline is also under active consideration in the department in alignment with NEP 2020.
The integration of 21st century skills, as articulated in the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023, and envisioned in NEP 2020 is already being implemented in a phased manner and the revised curriculum framework emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, digital literacy, problem-solving, and experiential learning, the Minister further said.
She added that these competencies are being systematically embedded across subjects through curriculum rationalization, revised pedagogical approaches, competency-based assessments and integration of skill-oriented modules at the Secondary and Senior Secondary levels.
The Minister also informed that the existing curriculum is aligned with the National Education Policy-2020, particularly in respect of digital literacy, multidisciplinary learning and vocational education. She informed that the National Education Policy 2020 advocates an integrated and holistic approach to curriculum design, and accordingly, domains like Digital Literacy and Skill Education are embedded within the curriculum from the Foundational Stage onwards.
She also gave out that the teachers are being oriented and trained to effectively integrate these competencies into classroom practices, thereby ensuring the acquisition of relevant skills and learning outcomes in a holistic manner.
The Minister further revealed that at the Secondary and Senior Secondary levels, Digital Literacy and Skill Education are also being offered as dedicated elective subjects within the curriculum, in addition to their cross-curricular integration.
Metrolite, Light Metro projects for Jammu, Srinagar under Govt consideration: Sakeena Itoo
The Government of India is currently reviewing proposals for Metrolite and Light Metro projects in Jammu and Srinagar, aiming to enhance the cities’ transportation infrastructure.
This was stated by Minister for Education Sakeena Itoo in the Legislative Assembly today while replying to a question of Legislator Mohan Lal, regarding the matter, on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The Minister informed that in Jammu city, comprehensive ground surveys, traffic studies, feasibility analysis and DPR preparation has been completed through M/s RITES Limited. She added that the DPR included alignment planning, ridership projections (2.84 lakh daily ridership by 2035), cost estimates, land requirements (29.58 hectare permanent and 1.50 hectare temporary), environmental and seismic design considerations besides financial structuring.
It was also apprised that the Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) has been assessed at 18.92%. The current proposal is confined to the Jammu urban corridor from Bantalab to Bari Brahmana covering 23 km with 22 stations, she said.
It was told that at present no proposal is under consideration for extending the Metrolite corridor to Akhnoor town and any future expansion would be subject to separate feasibility assessment and approval of the Government of India.
Regarding Srinagar city, the Minister said that detailed topographical surveys, traffic and ridership assessments, engineering feasibility studies, financial and economic analyses and alignment planning have been undertaken through M/s RITES Ltd.
She added that DPR for both the projects has been finalized and submitted to the Government of India for appraisal.
