Himahcal chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday advocated making HP University, Shimla as central university saying the state government would take up the matter with the government of India.
Presiding over the 50t Foundation Day of the HPU here, he said declaration of HPU as Central University would mean more funds for development and expansion.
Thakur announced enhancement of budget of HPU from existing Rs. 115 crore to Rs. 130 crore and also dedicated and laid foundation stones of developmental projects worth Rs 8.20 crore in the University.
The Chief Minister said that due to topographic constrains, the University campus was not well planned and organized. He emphasised that proper planning and research must be done before executing developmental projects so that maximum benefits could be derived.
Thakur said the establishing of library for visually specially- abled students in the University campus is a major initiative of the University. He said that the state government would establish special library for visually impaired students in selected colleges and even schools in order to facilitate the students with special ability. Thakur said that the government would provide all possible help to ensure WiFi facility in the University campus.
The Chief Minister said that the state government would provide all possible help for establishing new campus at Ghanahatti as well as for expansion of other activities of the University. The government would ensure that autonomy of the University was maintained at any cost. He said that teachers should also come forward to check the menace of drug abuse amongst the youth of the State.
The Chief Minister released University newsletter “Himshikhar”, research journals, souvenir and other publications and books on the occasion. He honoured Padamshri Dr. Omesh Bharti for his contribution in providing cost effective treatment of rabies on the occasion.
Thakur also honoured teachers, students and employees for their outstanding contributions on the occasion which includes Dr. Sushma Sharma, Dr. Saraswati Bhalla and Dr. Anurag Sharma with best teacher awards. He conferred best researcher award to Prof. Ram Prakash Sharma, Dr. Anita Sharma and Dr. Amarjit Singh. The best employee awards were given to Shrawan Kumar, Jamna Dass and Kewal Krishan. He also honoured students Manisha and Divya.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the “Atal Bhawan”, a residential building of non-teaching staff of the University constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.38 crore. He laid foundation stone of residential building of Class -IV employees to be constructed by spending Rs. 2.56 crore. This would have sixteen quarters for the employees.
Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that that since its establishment in 1970, the University has produced several alumni who have brought laurels to the University and State.
Vice Chancellor, HPU Prof. Sikander Kumar said that the teachers, students and staff of the University were committed to maintain the “A” grade given by NAAC to the University.
The University would be fully computerized by end of July this year and counseling of B. Ed. has been done online. He said the campus of the University would be provided WiFi facility by the end of this year.