RGU conversion a New Yr gift to Arunachal

Itanagar, Dec 19: The Lok Sabha has approved the bill for granting the much desired central varsity status to the Rajiv Gandhi University (RGC) in Arunachal.

''This is a new year gift from the Congress-led UPA government to the people of the state,'' Arunachal pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang said from Shillong.

''Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, HRD Minister Arjun Singh besides other central leaders and MPs of all political parties deserve the appreciation of the state government and the Congress party of this tribal state for fulfiling the long cherished dream of the people,'' the Chief Minister said.

''This status would help the lone university to gain new heights through academic excellence and revolutionise the higher education sector in the state as desired by the people'', he added.

Describing it as great achievement for the state, chief minister and the people, Education Minister Chowna Mein said it would fulfil aspirations of the youth and students of the state.

''The efforts of the state government have borne fruit and would help education to expand in the right direction,'' Mr Mein said adding, the funds spent on the university would be utilised for giving a new thrust to the education sector.

North East Congress coordinatioin committee general secretary Takum Sanjoy also joined the chief minister in extending gratefulness to the central leaders, particularly Congress president and the Prime Minister for facilitating the long awaited conversion of the RGC'.

''The state Congress has fulfiled one of its most important election promises to the people with the RGU convertion,'' Mr Sanjoy added.

UNI