Ten new engineering colleges for TN

Chennai, Jan 31 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi today informed the Assembly that the state government would open 10 new Engineering Colleges in the state this year.

Replying to Peter Alphonse (Cong), during the Question Hour in the State Assembly here, Mr Ponmudi said as the student intake had been on the rise, the state government had planned to set up 10 more engineering colleges in various districts.

''Priority will be given to the districts that do not have engineering colleges'', he added.

He also pointed out that the private engineering colleges were collecting more fees from the students. This had prompted the government to open more engineering Colleges.

''Government will also ensure that there is healthy competition among the colleges, which would ultimately benefit the students'', headded.

Mr Ponmudi informed that the state government was also thinking of bringing in a two-shift system for polytechnic institutes in the state as the student intake had been on the rise.

To a question raised by K Ghayathri Devi (Cong), the minister said the government would ensure that the proposed private Engineering Colleges did not occupy more than five acres of land.

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