NSS grants handed out with call to spend judiciously

GANGTOK, 24 May:  A total of Rs. 37,53,600 was distributed to 74 educational institutions by the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, National Service Scheme [NSS] Cell, today at a function held here at Paljor Stadium.
This grant-in-aid was provided to senior secondary schools, colleges, Sanskrit Mahavidyalayas, Sanskrit Uccha Mahavidyalayas, Shedas, ITIs and TTIs from around the state to carry out ‘special camps’ and various other NSS activities.
The cheques were handed over by the Secretary, Karma P Bhutia, and Additional Director, RK Rai, to the NSS programme officers from different institutions.

Addressing the function, the Secretary highlighted that the NSS was an important scheme to work for the overall development of the students as well as of the area and it would also help fulfill the vision of the Chief Minister to make Sikkim a model state.
Mr Bhutia suggested the programme officers to work more for the protection of the environment by involving students and local gentry and also work towards refining the skills and of the students and on anti-drugs campaigning.
“Do not just follow the guidelines of the scheme but adopt a wider outlook and keep on open mind to deliver innovative ideas for the development of the students and the area as a whole,” the Secretary urged.
He also directed the programme officers to open a savings account for the NSS funds and utilize it properly and further informed that there will be strict monitoring by the department officers.
The SYA Joint Director, NK Pradhan, who is also the NSS State Liaison Officer, pointed out that some institutions were not serious in implementing NSS activities and were not even using the funds properly, diverting it for other activities.
He also mentioned that the department will now monitoring the activities by visiting the schools.