BJP misleading people on opening of IIT, central university: Singh

Shimla, Jul 18 (UNI) Expressing surprise over Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal's statement over the opening of IIT and central university, for chief minister Virbhadra Singh today said it was a crude attempt to mislead the people of the state.

''I am amused to read Mr Dhumal's statement that the IIT has been opened due to persistent and consistent efforts of his government. This is factually incorrect and also a blatant lie and a crude attempt to mislead the people of the state,'' he said in a release here.

Mr Singh said the Centre had consented to open an IIT and a Central University in the state and an announcement to this was made on behalf of Prime Minister by Finance Minister P Chidambaram at a public meeting here on October two, 2007.

''I had then announced that the state government's decision to locate the IIT in Mandi district and the Central University anywhere near Dharamshala in Kangra district,'' he said.

He said, in fact, after coming to power the new government had tried to shift the IIT from Mandi district to some other place and this was foiled by the party.

The former chief minister expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for sanctioning Rs 760 crore for the opening of the IIT and a central university and said the delay in the opening of these institutions was only due to the BJP Government.

The government had delayed the process in selecting land for the central university, while the land for the IIT at Kamand in Mandi district had been selected a long time ago, he added.

Referring to the BJP Government's decision to open a medical college in Mandi district in the private sector, Mr Singh said this against the demand of the people as the previous Congress Government had announced to set the college in the government sector.

He urged the Chief Minister to reconsider its decision and open the medical college in government sector.

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