Address grievances of students: PM to officials

New Delhi, Aug 24 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Moditoday directed officials to address grievances of students andasked states to accelerate Aadhaar enrolment of children inthe age group of 5 to 18 years so that scholarships and othereducational benefits become more accessible to them. He also reviewed the progress of vital infrastructureprojects in the road, railway and power sectors, spread overseveral states including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka,West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh,Sikkim and Maharashtra. The review was undertaken at the 14th meeting of Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI), anICT-based multi-modal platform for monthly interaction by thePrime Minister with top officials of the states via video-conferencing. Reviewing the progress towards handling and resolution ofgrievances related to school education and literacy, Modi saidthere is now an expectation among the people that thegovernment will be able to resolve these grievances. The Prime Minister specifically asked officials concernedto systematize the measures being taken by them to addressgrievances of students, a PMO statement said. He instructed them to use all available technologicaltools to ensure that school children do not faceinconvenience, it said. As an illustration, he recalled his earlier instructionsto all ministries for extensive use of space technology. Hesaid this could help in proper location of examination centresto minimize difficulties in access for the students. Reviewing the functioning of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan,the Prime Minister was apprised of progress made in improvingaccessibility in schools, public buildings and railwaystations etc. He appreciated the sensitivity that has been shown inthis regard by various departments of the Central and stategovernments, the statement said. During an appraisal of the Aadhaar enrolment, it wasnoted that it is now close to 105 crore and special attentionis being given to the North-Eastern states which are lackingin this regard, it said. "The Prime Minister urged states to accelerate enrolmentamong children in the 5 to 18 age-group so that scholarshipsand other educational benefits become more accessible tothem," the statement said. In the context of infrastructure, he reviewed projectslike Nangal Dam-Talwara Railway line, which was firstsanctioned in 1981-82 and has been pending since then. The Prime Minister impressed upon the Chief Secretariesof Himachal Pradesh and Punjab the need to facilitate work atthe ground level so that further delay in this project may beavoided. According to reports, only about 55 per cent of work hasbeen completed on this 84 km-long line that passes throughPunjab and Himachal Pradesh. PTI AKKAKK