JAMMU, MAY 29: Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department (SDD), Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, today chaired a meeting of senior officers to review functioning of Government Polytechnics in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Director, SDD, Sudershan Kumar, Special Secretary, SDD, Secretary, JKBOTE, Joint Director Planning, FA/CAO, besides Principals of Government Polytechnic Colleges in person and virtually. Dr Samoon had threadbare discussion on various issues concerning Polytechnic colleges in JKUT including declining ratio in different trades, low grading pass out students, expeditious execution of ongoing civil works and related matters. The concerned authorities briefed the meeting about the steps being taken up to furtehr improve enrollment and pass out ratio in these colleges. Dr Samoon emphasized upon the concerned authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure 100 percent admission in polytechnic colleges in upcoming session besides reducing drop out percentage. He stressed upon them to ensure that the Polytechnics are upgraded with latest equipments and machinery for which funds have already been released. This will enable the students keep pace with changing worldly needs and requirements, he added. Dr Samoon also directed the concerned officers to conduct placement drives in every month to provide job opportunities to the students as per their skills. He reviewed progress on various civil works under construction with an estimated cost of Rs 23 crore and directed for ensuring early completion. Dr Samoon informed that the Capex budget of SDD has been increased from Rs 15 crore to Rs 69 crore to boost development of the department. He also apprised that 16 buses have been sanctioned for the Polytechnics
