Minister for Education, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari informed the Legislative Assembly that the introduction of microbiology subject at Higher Secondary level is under active consideration of the government.
However, the Minister said the introduction of the subject (Microbiology) as undergraduate course depends upon availability of faculty and infrastructure in the Government Degree Colleges,
Replying to a question of Mr Javid Hussain Baigh, the Minister said that Universities of Kashmir and Jammu offer Microbiology as Post Graduate course, while SMVDU, IUST and BGSBU have not started such courses as yet. He added and informed that scope of Microbiology is vast in multiple fields. He said Applied Microbiology deals with the application of micro-organisms which has scope in Industries, Biotechnology, Agriculture sector, pharmacy, food and dairy processing, water supply and bioremediation etc.
Replying to a separate question by legislator Rajiv Sharma, the Minister said against 54 sanctioned posts of teaching and non-teaching staff that Degree College Akhnoor has 43 in place and 11 are vacant. He said that the vacant posts have already been referred to the concerned recruitment agencies and will be filled after the selections are made. He further said that college has adequate infrastructure to cater to the present needs.
Responding to another part of the question, the Minister said that the posts of Lecturers and Assistant Professors in Higher Education Department are being filled by the PSC under set norms. However, the department is meeting the dearth through academic arrangement engagements from time to time. He said there is no provision for regularization of the candidates engaged under the academic arrangement. He further said that 253 eligible students of Degree College Akhnoor of SC/ST/OBC/EBC have been provided scholarships/financial assistance under different schemes during 2017-18.(KNO)