Address grievances of students: Modi tells officials

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday directed officials to address grievances of students and asked states to accelerate Aadhaar enrolment of children in the age group of 5 to 18 years so that scholarships and other educational benefits become more accessible to them.

He also reviewed the progress of vital infrastructure projects in the road, railway and power sectors, spread over several 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), an ICT-based multi-modal platform for monthly interaction by the Prime Minister with top officials of the states via video-conferencing.

Reviewing the progress towards handling and resolution of grievances related to school education and literacy, Modi said there is now an expectation among the people that the government will be able to resolve these grievances.

The Prime Minister specifically asked officials concerned to systematize the measures being taken by them to address grievances of students, a PMO statement said.

He instructed them to use all available technological tools to ensure that school children do not face inconvenience, it said.

As an illustration, he recalled his earlier instructions to all ministries for extensive use of space technology. He said this could help in proper location of examination centres to minimize difficulties in access for the students.

Reviewing the functioning of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, the Prime Minister was apprised of progress made in improving accessibility in schools, public buildings and railway stations etc.

He appreciated the sensitivity that has been shown in this regard by various departments of the Central and state governments, the statement said.

During an appraisal of the Aadhaar enrolment, it was noted that it is now close to 105 crore and special attention is being given to the North-Eastern states which are lacking in this regard, it said.

"The Prime Minister urged states to accelerate enrolment among children in the 5 to 18 age-group so that scholarships and other educational benefits become more accessible to them," the statement said.

In the context of infrastructure, he reviewed projects like Nangal Dam-Talwara Railway line, which was first sanctioned in 1981-82 and has been pending since then.

The Prime Minister impressed upon the Chief Secretaries of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab the need to facilitate work at the ground level so that further delay in this project may be avoided.

According to reports, only about 55 per cent of work has been completed on this 84 km-long line that passes through Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.