Govt to encourage private polytechnic colleges: Minister

Hyderabad, Aug 20 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy today said the government would encourage private polytechnic colleges in the state as there was enormous demand for diploma holders in agriculture, horticulture and veterinary sciences in public and private sectors.

Addressing the press here, Mr Reddy said the government had already called for 'Expression of Interest' from those interested in setting up polytechnic colleges.

The government would constitute a board depending on the number of applications received from private individuals who desire to conduct the diploma courses.

Each polytechnic would require 25 to 30 acre of land with an initial investment of Rs four to five crore and sufficient faculty.

The government would accord sanction to those who fulfilled the requirements.

The government had already given sanction to 12 polytechnic colleges in the state during the last three years and as of now, there were 17 such institutions working under Agriculture, Horticulture and Veterinary universities.

However, these colleges would not be privatised, he said adding there were no polytechnic colleges in the country except in Andhra Pradesh.

The Minister said the government's aim was to establish polytechnic colleges in every district. Permission had been given to provide ten per cent of seats to the diploma holders joining degree courses in Agriculture, Horticulture and Veterinary universities.

UNI