MUZAFFARABAD, July 1: The AJK government has sanctioned Rs60 million for the acquisition of land for the Scout Cadet College to be constructed on the outskirts of the state capital by the federal education ministry, an official said here on Thursday.

Dr Raja Mohammad Arif Khan, secretary of education, sports and culture, told Dawn that the process for the acquisition of 413 kanal of land in Chattar Class, some 20 kilometres from here, had been initiated by his department.

The land, which is currently in possession of the AJK agriculture department, was selected by a committee headed by Chief Secretary Shahid Rafi. The agriculture department is running a nursery on it which, officials said, would be shifted to some other site.

"The notification of the acquisition of land has been issued today, and as a first instalment we have released Rs10 million to the collector of land acquisition (deputy commissioner)," Dr Arif said.

The Scout Cadet College, he said, was a substitute to the Hafeez Shaheed Naval Cadet College, which the Pakistan Navy had pledged in 1999 to establish in Muzaffarabad in memory of its martyred sailor belonging to the AJK capital. However, in spite of several reminders by the AJK government in the following days, the authorities concerned in Pakistan Navy showed indifference to the fulfilment of the commitment made by the then naval chief during a visit to Muzaffarabad to offer condolences to the sailor's family, he said.

Finally, he said, the Navy conveyed its refusal to the AJK government to set up the said institution citing lack of financial resources. The refusal caused disappointment and resentment among the people here.

In view of the people's feeling, AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat took up the matter with Federal Education Minister Zobaida Jalal during her visit to Muzaffarabad, Dr Arif said.

The education minister said that her ministry would bear the cost of the building and equipment of the college if the AJK government arranged land for the project, he said.