Dhumal for providing autonomous status to HPU

Shimla, Jul 30 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said the state government would consider withdrawal of the amendments carried out recently in the HP University Act to provide autonomous status to the university.

"The state government would examine all such amendments and consider the same on merit after taking all related aspects into consideration," Mr Dhumal said.

The Chief Minister was addressing the Himachal Pradesh University fraternity in a function on the occasion of foundation laying ceremony of Rs 1.15 crore guest house building of the Academic Staff College within the university complex.

He said that the government would extend all possible assistance to the HPU to uphold its autonomy.

He said that a sum of Rs 36 crore had been released for current financial year to meet the HPU's various expenditure requirements while it was granted Rs 24 crore during the previous financial year.

Mr Dhumal assured the university authorities of providing increase in grant-in-aid in coming financial year as well.

He advised the university authorities to update their academic curriculum and incorporate job oriented vocational courses on self-financing basis so that it could meet its financial requirements.

On the occasion, Mr Dhumal announced a grant of Rs one crore to strengthen the Bio-technology department of the university and to start B-tech in Bio-technology and also to give boost to its activities.

He said that the state possessed 7.32 percent of national bio-diversity and there was vast scope to increase and strengthen the same by training more youth in the discipline.

He also announced a grant of Rs one crore for the construction of staff quarters for the non-teaching employees of the university.

He also announced the release of five percent Interim Relief to the UGC grade staff who had not been provided the same so far.

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