By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
Education Minister Ashish Sood directs colleges to fast-track budget revalidation, plan infrastructure under Master Plan 2041
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government is pushing to accelerate college infrastructure expansion, upgrade sports facilities and introduce digital administrative systems across its 12 fully funded colleges.
Education Minister Shri Ashish Sood reviewed budget allocations for hostels and sports facilities, infrastructure projects and plans to increase student capacity at a high-level meeting with college principals and representatives at the Delhi Secretariat on October 14.
During the meeting, the minister directed colleges to expedite budget revalidation and submit utilisation certificates, while emphasising the need for better use of allocated funds.
Sports grants may rise to ₹5 lakh
The government is considering increasing the annual sports grant per college from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh to promote athletic activities and strengthen sports facilities. The meeting also highlighted the low utilisation of funds allocated for the purpose.
A proposal was discussed to involve private sports academies in colleges to improve coaching standards. Sood said the Education Department was examining issues related to engaging private academies in schools and that the framework would be implemented in the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) and Technical Education and Training (TTE) once finalised.
Infrastructure plans to follow Master Plan 2041
The meeting also focused on constructing new academic buildings and hostels within existing college premises to accommodate future student enrolment.
Sood said proposals based on the earlier Master Plan 2021 were no longer relevant and directed colleges to prepare building plans in accordance with Master Plan 2041 and the revised Floor Area Ratio (FAR) norms.
He further asked institutions to develop long-term expansion plans for buildings and hostels, taking into account projected student intake over the next 20 years.
Digital platform pilot planned
As part of efforts to modernise college administration, the government also announced plans to launch a pilot project for an integrated digital platform in a select group of colleges.
Briefing documents outlining the initiative were distributed to all principals to obtain their feedback.
The meeting brought together representatives of all 12 Delhi government fully funded colleges to review infrastructure requirements, improve the utilisation of funds and explore measures to strengthen campus facilities and administrative efficiency.
