Centre to set up another Sainik School in Punjab

Chandigarh, June 1: The Union Government has agreed in principle to set up another Sainik School in Punjab, besides expeditiously clearing the decks for the establishment of Defence University at Patiala.

This was agreed upon by Defence Minister A K Antony during his discussion with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. The Chief Minister called upon the Defence Minister at New Delhi yesterday.

The Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister that the Ministry of Defence was already running a Sainik School at Kapurthala. He said the state government had already sent a comprehensive proposal to convert the 120 acres Dasmesh Academy at Anandpur Sahib with excellent campus and infrastructure into a Sainik School .

Mr Badal also asked the Minister to consider the proposal of the state government to set up a Defence Industrial unit in Punjab.

The unit could be in the form of a vehicle fabrication or ordinance factory.

The CM also pointed to the dilapidated border roads in the state, especially in Gurdaspur district. These roads are under the Border Roads Organisation.

Mr Antony assured the Chief Minister that he would certainly look into the demands of Punjab. He said he would depute the Chief of Army staff General J J Singh to look into the modalities for setting up a Sainik School at Anandpur Sahib as proposed by the state government.

General J J Singh called on the Chief Minister at Kapurthala House in New Delhi.

UNI