Opening of medical college at Mandi under consideration, says CM

Mandi, Oct 10 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said his government was considering a proposal to open a medical college at Mandi district of the state following demand by ministers and MLAs of the district.

A formal announcement on the opening of the college will only be made after examining the financial aspects, he said while addressing a public meeting here after inaugurating the Zonal Hospital building, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 6.26 crore.

Mr Singh said several private parties have also approached him in the recent past for the opening of a medical college between Slapper and Ner Chowk area of the district.

They have assured the state government that they would begin construction of the college building and other infrastructure within 10 days after receiving green signal from government besides making it functional from the next academic year, he said.

He was responding to the demand for the opening of a medical college here by former union minister Sukh Ram, IPH Minister Kaul Singh Thakur and Excise and Taxation Minister Rangila Ram Rao.

Accepting the IPH Minister's demand for the opening up of the Deputy Public Relations office here, he said it would be made functional within two weeks.

Mr Singh said a sum of Rs 112 crore were being spent on 69 road construction projects that would strengthen road network in the district and connect more gram panchayats and villages with motorable roads.

Every gram panchayat in the district would be connected by a motorable road by March, he said.

Earlier, Mr Thakur, who also holds the portfolio of Urban Development Minister, said that Rs four crore sold waste management plant would be set up here.

Lok Sabha MP from Mandi constituency, Pratibha Singh, and several senior state government officials were also present on the occasion.

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