GILGIT, Oct 26: The federal government has earmarked Rs1,958.29 million for the education sector in the Northern Areas, officials say.

They said that these projects included upgradation of educational institutions, including primary and higher secondary schools, in all five districts of the Northern Areas.

Upgradation of intermediate-level colleges would also be undertaken under this scheme, they said.

A sum of Rs304.504 million had been allocated in the current budget for annual development projects in this regard, sources said.

A large portion of funds would be spent by the education department for provision of recreational facilities in academic institutions as well as promotion of education, sources said.

The government, they say, is undertaking many projects under the ADP allocation and information technology centres are being set up in the Northern Areas, adding that the government was endeavouring to bring the region on a par with the rest of the country.

Mineral exploration: The government is spending Rs44.04 million under the current annual development programme to increase the mineral exploration activities in the Northern Areas, officials say.

High-ranking officials in the Northern Areas’ planning and development department said that a plan for establishing a Mineral Directorate was approved by the Ministry of Kashmir and Northern Areas Affairs, adding that it had been sent to the federal finance division for further vetting.

They said that creation of 50 new posts were being considered in this regard.—APP