Sajad Lone's promise of turning orphanages into boarding schools in 6 months unfulfilled

BIVEK MATHUR

JAMMU: Six months have passed since Minister for Social Welfare, Sajad Gani Lone had stated in the state Assembly that the government was mulling to convert state-run orphanages into boarding schools and would do so within six months, however nothing has been done on the ground.
When The News Now contacted Director Social Welfare Department, Kashmir, Hashmat Ali Yatoo, he said, "As per my knowledge, this project is still in infancy stage but Minister Sahab is very serious on this. He is even looking for some rented accommodation to start boarding schools both in Valley and Jammu soon to provide quality education to the orphaned children".
On six months' deadline given by the minister to start the schools, he said, "Very soon, you will see two boarding schools functional both in Valley and Jammu."
Director Social Welfare, Jammu, Veerji Hangloo said, "This project is under progress. Developments on this project are being closely monitored at the secretariat level by the minister concerned himself."
There are 23 orphanages (Bal Ashrams) being run by the state government; 11 in Jammu province and 12 in Kashmir province.
During discussion on grants of the Social Welfare department in the legislative Assembly Sajad Gani Lone, had promised that all orphanages will be replaced with two high-tech boarding schools, one each in Jammu and Kashmir province within 6 months, by arranging funds through CSR.
He had also promised that a Board of Directors (BoD) will be constituted to run these schools.
Initially, the minister had said that the schools would be run from rented accommodations but after raising funds from CSR, proper infrastructure would also be generated.
Minister for Social Welfare Department, Sajad Lone, when contacted, said, "I am busy in Iftar. Call me later." He did not reply to repeated phone calls and text messages since then till this report was filed.