NC unnerved by spread of education in J

Srinagar, May 24 (UNI) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a key ruling alliance partner in Jammu and Kashmir, today expressed surprise and dismay over National Conference (NC) chief Omar Abdullah's repeated criticism of the coalition government for the expansion of educational infrastructure in the state.

In a statement here, a PDP spokesman said expansion and diversification of the educational infrastructure was one of the major initiatives taken by the PDP-led coalition government to improve the living and economic conditions of the people by developing skilled human resource in the state.

He said the massive expansion programme was aimed at not only extending skilled and quality educational facilities to the people in the nook and corner of the state but also for creating jobs for the educated unemployed youth.

''We are satisfied that strong foundations have been laid for an educationally rich and prosperous future for our coming generations,'' the spokesman added.

Despite the pressing need for expanding educational facilities, he said unfortunately no such initiative was taken during the past three decades by any government and the state's youth had to rely on whatever limited educational infrastructure was developed in 1960s.

Under the educational infrastructure expansion programme, the PDP-led coalition government besides establishing two Universities at Rajouri and Awantipora, also set up North and South campuses of the Kashmir University at Baramulla and Anantnag respectively.

Similarly, he said the campuses of the Jammu University were established at Kathua, Udhampur and Bhaderwah.

As many as 22 degree colleges were established across the state besides upgrading hundreds of high, middle and primary schools, the spokesman said, adding a Nursing College was also set up by the Wakaf Board at Srinagar.

He said the frequent criticism of the educational upgrade programme in the state by the NC president exposed the anti-people and anti-development bias of the party. The NC was unnerved by the expansion of the educational facilities, especially in the remote areas of the state, as the party does not want the people to get educated and emancipated, the spokesman added.

''As the NC has thrived on exploitative and manipulative politics, the party sees spread of education as the biggest threat to its fiefdom,'' he said.

He said because of political insecurities, Mr Abdullah has come out openly against the expansion of education in the state.

The spokesman advised the NC president to change his 'Jaagirdari' mindset as not only enough water but blood has flown down the river Jhelum and people of the state could not be now driven around like the dumb cattle.

''Instead of looking at this viral issue through the myopic eye of electoral politics, Mr Abdullah, being a learned man himself, should speak like a mature politician instead of holding on to the traditional NC mindset of emotional blackmail to garner votes.'' UNI