Arjun assures central status for Sagar varsity

Sagar, MP, July 17 (UNI) Assuring that the Dr Hari Singh Gaur University here would be accorded central status in the 11th Five-Year Plan, Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh today announced a Rs 10-crore package for the institution.

''This status cannot be granted under the 10th FYP due to practical hurdles as this is the plan's last year,'' he said while inaugurating the varsity's diamond jubilee programme.

The minister also agreed to proposals for setting up an Institute of Human Resource Development and an Institute of Environmental Sustainability within the university.

On July 18, 1946, legal luminary and academician Gaur established India's 16th varsity here with a grant of Rs 2 crore.

While laying foundation stones for three university buildings, Mr Singh described Dr Gaur as a simple and dedicated person.

''Our country's higher education sector has not been developed as per the social system and the requirement. Only the moneyed segment is able to avail the facility and a mere eight of every hundred persons benefit from higher learning,'' the minister claimed.

Mr Singh assured that the Centre was resolved to address complaints of lack of resources, faculty and land.

''Madhya Pradesh is replete with resources but there is a paucity of a campaign and willpower. Intellectuals ought to provide guidance,'' he felt.

Vice-Chancellor D P Singh demanded conferring of the Bharat Ratna on Dr Gaur and the introduction of two more syllabi.

UNI XC-AC MIR HT2057