PANAJI
The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) has moved over Rs 3.70 crore proposals before the North Goa District Mineral Foundation (NGDMF) for undertaking various initiatives in the government college Sanquelim through District Mineral Fund (DMF).
During its meeting held earlier this month, the managing committee of the North Goa District Mineral Foundation decided to place proposals before the Governing Council for decision. The committee, however, declined proposal to procure electric buses for the college at the cost of over Rs 25 lakh while directing them to opt for diesel buses.
The DHE has proposed setting up of a sewage treatment plant to treat and recycle the waste water from toilets and reuse it for gardening, irrigation and cleaning. The facility, proposed at an estimated cost of more than Rs 1.34 crore, will also benefit the village as whole.
A Rs 95.42 lakh proposal for acoustics, soundproofing and audio solutions for the college auditorium and seminar hall at the college is also proposed. The seating capacity of the auditorium is around 300 and of seminar hall is 100. Currently, the college is hiring an external sound system for approximately Rs 60,000 per year for various events.
In a bid to promote e-learning, the DHE has proposed to have a dedicated computer lab with digital smart boards to cater to the needs of 1,000 students who are enrolled in the college. The total cost of the project is Rs 56.18 lakh-odd. The department opined that the priority should be given to schooling infrastructure over higher education infrastructure.
The managing committee has also recommended a proposal for installation of solar panels and commissioning of a sensor control system for existing light for the college at an estimated cost of over Rs 49.80 lakh. The college has decided to install solar panels on the rooftop of both old and new buildings. The Committee has directed DHE to ensure that the project is executed through Goa Energy Development Agency.
The DHE has also proposed plantation of 25 indigenous tree species as a pollution control measure and green cover at the college premise and development of horticulture with medical gardens and landscaping.
