The State would explore the possibilities of setting up a university in private sector in Kullu district and establish an Industrial Training Institute in Manali. This was revealed by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, while speaking on the occasion of foundation stone laying ceremony of Govt. Polytechnic College being built at a cost of Rs. 12 crore in Seobagh village of Kais Panchayat at Kullu today.
Chief Minister said that 37,102 trained professionals were being churned out from 251 technical institutes every year in the State. He said that the State had 17 Engineering Colleges, 30 Polytechnic colleges, B Pharma colleges and 191 ITIs where various vocational courses have been introduced. He said that the State Government had approved the proposal to set up polytechnic colleges in five districts of the State viz. Kullu, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti and added that out of which foundation stone of polytechnic college, Kais, Kullu had been laid today and the work on the remaining four would also be taken up at the earliest. He said that classes would begin in Polytechnic College at Kais from next academic session and civil, mechanical and electrical diploma courses would be introduced. He said that the local youth were being provided vocational training at ITIs set up at Nirmand, Dalash and Shamshi in Kullu.
Chief Minister said that construction of ropeway upto Bijli Mahadev shrine would be taken in hand and the maintenance of the road upto the shrine would also be done. He announced financial assistance of Rs. 3 lakh and Rs. 2 lakh for the construction of a stadium and stage respectively at Seobagh. He said that DPRs regarding construction of link road connecting Kais Panchayat would be prepared soon.
Prof. Dhumal said that first Solar Power Project of the country was being set up at a cost of Rs. 2.70 crore at ITI, Shamshi in Kullu district. He said that besides a course on power generation had been introduced so that a large number of employment and self employment could be created for the unemployed youth of the State. He said that it was a matter of honour for the State as Shamshi Centre had been declared as ‘Best Centre in Electricity Sector’. He said that Rs. 3.50 crore would be spent for strengthening the infrastructure at this centre and a course in tourism would be introduced by spending Rs. one crore. He said that campus interviews were held at Shamshi Centre and the same would be replicated in other institutions of the State so that youth could be provided opportunities of employment and self employment.
Chief Minister said that the State Government was making concerted endeavours for realising the dream of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee of making Himachal Pradesh – a hub of quality education. He said that Government was not only providing employment oriented education to the students but also ensuring the development of their overall personality. He said that keeping in view the global demand of skilled manpower the world over, the State Government was providing impetus to quality education and skill development programmes, which could go a long way in making the youth self dependent.
Khimi Ram, MLA and President, State BJP welcomed the Chief Minister and said that it was under the leadership of Prem Kumar Dhumal, State had achieved new heights in the over all development in the State. He said that besides, Kullu, youth of Lahaul-Spiti and Mandi districts would also be benefitted from setting up of Polytechnic College at Kullu. He thanked the Chief Minister for implementing Atal School Uniform Scheme in the State.
MLA Govind Thakur, while welcoming the Chief Minister thanked him for laying the foundation stone of Polytechnic College at Kais. This, he said, would provide quality technical education to the students. He said that last four years witnessed an era of development in Kullu. Paras Ram, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat, Kais welcomed the Chief Minister apprised him of the demands of the people of panchayat. Kishori Lal, MLA Ani, Chander Sen Thakur, Ex MLA, Dhaneshwari Thakur, Chairperson, State Women Commission, Dharamvir Dharmi, Senior BJP Leader, Ram Singh, District President, BJP, Reshma Thakur, Member Zila Parishad and other prominent persons were present on the occasion.
