Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal has accused the state government for making false promises and misleading people of the state with its opportunistic politics.
In a press statement, BJP leader stated that the decision of reducing endowment fee for opening the private universities raises doubts and he questioned its need.
Accusing the government of stalling development of the state, Dhumal claimed that the previous BJP government had taken various steps to make Himachal a hub in education, health and tourism. However, then Opposition Congress hadn’t played the role of ideal opposition and misled people of the state by raising slogans like ‘Himachal on.
He said the BJP government had invited private universities to the state for expansion of education and also ensured quality education by implementing the Private Universities Regulation Act.
Dhumal further added that the government also fixed Rs. 5 crore endowment fee for opening the private universities. Though, Congress had adopted negative approach and opposed private universities, but after coming into power the Congress has changed its stance and even reduced endowment fee to Rs. 3 crore.
Leader of opposition questioned the need for reducing endowment fee and also asked it to clarify government stand for providing land for universities.
He also held the Congress government responsible for the reduced MBBS seats in two state run medical colleges at Shimla and Tanda in Kangra. He alleged that due to the laidback attitude of the Congress government 85 students were on verge of losing the opportunity of becoming doctors.
The former chief minister said it was quite strange that private institutions get approval from the Medical Council of India (MCI) to run 150 MBBS seats, while in the state-owned medical colleges the number of seats has been reduced.
Dhumal also slammed the government for low admission in the technical institutes of the state and thus students were migrating to the neighboring states. BJP leader has asked government to clarify whether these students will be eligible for jobs in the state after completion of their degrees.
He further alleged that the Congress was never concerned with safeguarding the interest of the state and the financial condition of the state is deteriorating by the day. He claimed that the Land, Mining, Liquor and Education Mafia were active in the state and accused government for sheltering them. He also accused Congress leaders for working on the behest of businessmen.
