Srinagar, Mar 28 (KNO): The government on Saturday informed the Legislative Assembly that significant funds have been sanctioned and utilised for major repair works in schools across Jammu & Kashmir under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme over the past two years, with further allocations made for the financial year.
Replying to an unstarred question by MLA Peerzada Feroze Ahmad, the Minister in-charge School Education Department, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that a total of 372 major repair works were taken up during 2023–24 and 2024–25, for which Rs 1,258 lakh were approved. Out of this, Rs 857 lakh were released, and Rs 532 lakh have been expended so far.
Providing year-wise details, the minister said that during 2023–24, as many as 263 works were executed with Rs 922 lakh approved, Rs 672 lakh released and Rs 496.27 lakh spent. In 2024–25, 109 works were taken up with Rs 336 lakh approved, Rs 185 lakh released, and Rs 35.73 lakh expended.
For the current financial year 2025–26, the government said that Rs 1,340 lakh have been approved for carrying out major repairs in 322 schools, out of which Rs 533 lakh have been released so far, while expenditure is yet to be reported.
The approved works, the minister said, include whitewashing and painting, repair of cracks, damaged tile work, installation of grills, repair of window panes and doors, and repair of trusses and roofs, among other necessary interventions aimed at improving school infrastructure.
Replying to another part of the question regarding basic infrastructure, the government said that under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, the School Education Department has been strengthening facilities in schools across the Union Territory.
These include provision of Additional Classrooms (ACRs), boundary walls, separate toilets for boys and girls, headmaster rooms, drinking water facilities, and major repairs, besides support for building-less schools.
"Facilities such as computer rooms, art and craft rooms, science laboratories (including Physics, Chemistry and Biology labs), and library rooms are also being provided based on enrolment and infrastructure gaps, as per UDISE data," the government said—(KNO)