PM amenable to Defence Univ at Moti Bagh Palace: Capt

Patiala, July 18 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has agreed, in principle, to set up a Defence University at Old Moti Bagh Palace, currently occupied by Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said here today.

Talking to mediapersons after presiding over a function of rural development, he said he hoped defence minister Pranab Mukherjee will soon call a meeting on the issue.

The Chief Minister was reacting to the statement of Union Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar that there were no plans to shift NSNIS from Patiala.

He said, he had approached Dr Singh, who had given consent to establish Defence University at the Old Moti Bagh Palace.

Capt Singh further said he also met the chiefs of defence forces who also gave their consent. He said he had urged the defence minister to call the joint meeting of sports minister and others to finalise the issue.

UNI XC JN MIR DB2119