By Imtiyaz Pandow
Budgam: Residents of Watrihal area in Budgam’s Khansahib constituency are accusing government of retracting from its promise of approving college which they say was ‘promised by governor led administration’.
Residents claim that the college was earlier sanctioned in the area but in the final list of approved colleges Watrihal was dropped.
“In 2014, the then higher education minister announced a degree college in favor of Watrihal. Peoples Democratic Party, when came to power, they too promised the same,” they said.
The residents claimed that when Governor led administration approved 50 colleges, they approached to the administration who also provided them assurance of a college in the area.
Abdul Rashid a resident of Watrihal told INS that few days ago the administration asked people to identify the land which was identified and duly district commissioner and education department was informed about it.
“Both the officials, DC and from education department also made a visit to the place. Now when the list of colleges is out, Watrihal is missing,” they rued.
They complained that in the absence of college, students of the area are compelled to travel near about 20 kms to Budgam or Beerwah colleges.
“The absence of degree college in the vicinity becomes the main reason for our wards especially girls to discontinue their further studies,” Mukhtar Ahmad a local told The INS.
The residents are also anguished that while Soibugh area is in list which is ‘off route to the Watrihal area’, what reasons forced government to drop ‘Watrihal from the list’.