Pvt Universities Act to spur investment in education in HP: CM

Shimla, Oct 11 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said the Private Universities Act will help in attracting investment in education sector and make the state a knowledge hub.

''The state government has received a number of proposals from recognised private educational societies and educational institutions and a final decision on the issue was likely to be taken soon,'' he said, while addressing a public meeting at Chunahan in Mandi district of the state.

Mr Singh said his government would soon grant permission to eligible people and organisations to set up universities in the state.

The government had opened 14 Degree Colleges in the state during the last one year besides upgrading facilities in the rural educational institutions, he said.

Denying opposition charges that his government was neglecting the Balh valley of Mandi district, he said adequate number of educational institutions had been opened and developmental projects of several hundred thousands had been sanctioned to provide to the people.

The chief minister reiterated his government's commitment for the balanced development of the state.

Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, who was also present on the occasion, said that the previous government had failed to safe-guard the interests of the state, while alloting hydel projects during their tenure.

Several senior state government officials were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Mr Singh also inaugurated the 33 KV Sub Station, completed at a cost of Rs. 2.15 crore, laid foundation stones of Behna Bridge over Suketi Khad on Gutkar-Behna-Tikkar-Malwana road and the first phase of Balh valley Irrigation Scheme improvement and extension project, to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.61 crore, on the second day of his five-day tour to Mandi district.

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