Centre to set up IIM, central university in state

Srinagar, May 12: The Centre has agreed to set up Central University and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) besides national university for Schedule Tribes (ST) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Minister for Human Resources and Development (HRD) Arjun Singh gave the assurance to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad during a meeting at New Delhi, an official spokesman said today.

He said Mr Azad had requested the Union Minister for setting up a central university and an IIM in the state on the pattern of IIM Ahmedabad.

The two prestigious institutions would be set up one each in Kashmir and Jammu provinces.

The Chief Minister also requested Mr Singh for setting up the institutions in a campus of the recently established National University for STs headquartered in Madhya Pradesh.

Since the State has a sizeable ST population, a campus of the university in J and K would go a long way in promoting higher education among this section of the population, Mr Azad informed Mr Singh.

He said Mr Singh agreed to the proposals of the Chief Minister for setting up of the Central University, IIM and campus of the National University for STs in J and K.

The Chief Minister also took up with the union minister the need for opening of women degree colleges and Industrial Training Institutes(ITIs) in the districts of the State where these facilities are not available at present.

Mr Singh assured him that this would be sympathetically considered.

UNI