Govt ignores Dachnipora, sanctions two Degree colleges for Khoveripora

Residents of Dachnipora-comprising over three dozen villages- are up in arms against the Jammu and Kashmir Government for not paying heed to their demand of establishing a degree college in the area.

They alleged political and bureaucratic discrimination and threatened to start agitation if the Higher Education Department didn’t pay heed to their demands and failed to sanction a college in the area.

Dachnipora comprises of rround 40 villagee like Adlash Magam,  Awora, Badroo,Banderpora, Bewora, Chandipora, Dahwatoo, Dupatyar, Guree, Hard Kothal, Hatigam, K Kalan, Kanalwan, Katoo, Katritang, Katsoo,Khiram Krandigam, Kuller, Lehendajan, Liver, Mahind, Merhama, Nowshehra, Wopzen, Panchpora, Saktipora, Sallar, Sather, Serigafwara, Shalgam, Sheikhproa, Sirhama, Sofipora, Thajwara, Trail, Veeri, Veersern, Viday, Waghama Wahdan, Wolarhama, and Yanned.

Residents told Early Times that the Higher Education Department has exposed its biased approach by sanctioning two degree colleges for Khoveripora and not a single for Dachnipora which has more population, villages and number Higher Secondary Schools than Khoveripora.

“With the radius of 15 Kilometers Government has sanctioned three degree colleges in the area. Two of them fall in Khoveripora while as Dachnipora has been completely ignored,” they said.

Most of the residents took to social media networking sites like Facebook and twitter to express resentment against the Government and Higher Education Department.

“New Colleges at Mattan and Sligam Now we have GDC Bijbehara, GDC Anantnag, GDCW Anantnag, GDC Mattan, GDC Sligam, Five Degree colleges within a range of 15 Kilometers. In Dachnipora none from Pahalgam to Bijbehara or from Khiram Sirhama down to Sangam Marhama,” wrote Iftikar Lone.

They accused Government of sanctioning colleges on SSA pattern. “Aerial distance between Chattisingpora, Mattan and Sligam is not more than five kilometers. Where are feeding Higher Secondary Schools for these colleges,” Wrote another resident.

Residents alleged that colleges have been sanctioned in those areas having less population and number students.  “Dachnipora has more than five higher-secondary schools and fulfills all the norms required for getting a degree college but we fail to understand why government ignored our area,” Mushtaq Ahmad, a resident of Khiram-Srigufwara said.

They sought the intervention of Governor Satya pal Malik and Advisor Khursheed Ahmad Ganie.

On Tuesday, State Administrative Council (SAC) which met under the chairmanship of Governor Satya Pal Malik approved 40 Degree colleges including 26 approved by previous PDP-BJP Government.