HP encouraging private participation in education: CM

Shimla, Nov 2 (UNI) Asserting that Himachal Pradesh Government will not allow ''teaching shops'' to set up their base in the state, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said it was inviting private parties to provide qualitative education to the students. ''The government is encouraging private players to open Universities in the state to make Himachal the educational hub of the country,'' he said, while addressing a public meeting at Renuka in Sirmaur district of the state, last evening after inaugurating the Renuka fair.

Mr Singh said that the Private Universities Act had been framed to invite experienced, competent and private players to open institutions in medical, IT, BT and engineering sectors and other vocational disciplines.

Asserting that it would not allow ''teaching shops'' to flourish in the state in the name of quality education, he said these institutions would help in spreading the extent of quality education in the state, besides spreading its extent.

He said 14 new degree colleges have been opened in the recent past in the state and had been provided a sum of Rs. five crore each for creating necessary infrastructure.

All newly created colleges have been made functional, he said, adding Sirmaur distirct had a degree college in each assembly segment, he said.

The Chief Minister said his government had given adequate attention towards the developmental requirements of the district and had succeeded in sanctioning a number of projects for its speedy development.

To encourage primary education, District Primary Education Project (DPEP) was initiated and a sum of Rs. 35 crore has spent under it, while the Rs 45 crore Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojna was under implementation in the district, he added.

UNI AS DP SY ND1818