Port Blair, Oct 12: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, has requested the Chief Secretary of A & N Administration for immediate action to address the critical issue of girls’ hostel accommodation in JNRM and ANCOL.
Presently, a large number of female students are facing accommodation challenges, forcing them to look for private accommodation in Port Blair, which are not only expensive but also often unsafe.
The Member of Parliament after conducting a thorough investigation has identified potential solutions to solve this pressing problem.
In his letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration he mentioned that approximately 250 beds in the JNRM girls’ hostel could become available with proactive administrative measures.
In the said letter he mentioned that there is an urgent need for the renovation of an old girls’ hostel building within the JNRM girls’ hostel campus, estimated to cost around Rs. 60 to 70 lakhs. Once these funds are allocated, an additional 120 to 150 beds can be created for students coming from remote islands, ensuring their accommodation needs are met.
He added that there is another new building inside the said campus, which is almost completed, funded under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a centrally sponsored scheme.
He pointed out that an additional Rs. 60 to 70 lakhs are needed to make this building fully operational. Once these funds are released, the building can be prepared for occupancy within a month, providing accommodation for approximately 100 girl students.
The Member of Parliament highlighted that these crucial steps, the renovation of the old hostel and the completion of the new building, have the potential to offer accommodation to nearly 250 more female students within the JNRM College campus.
He also mentioned that within the ANCOL campus, a 100-bed hostel is approximately 85% finished. However, issues related to the release of necessary funds have stalled its completion. If these funds are allocated promptly, Administration can swiftly provide accommodation for an additional 100 girl students within the ANCOL campus.
In light of these developments, the Member of Parliament requested the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration to consider these pressing matters and take immediate actions to expedite the allocation of funds and resources, so that all girl students from remote Islands can be provided safe and secure accommodation in girls’ hostels of JNRM and ANCOL.
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