Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur formally dedicated Sardar Patel University Mandi, the second university of the state, to people on Tuesday and inaugurated two blocks of the university constructed with the cost of Rs 16.18 crore.
Addressing a gathering on this occasion the CM said, “As many as 141 government and private colleges of Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Lahaul- Spiti and Kullu districts would come under the Mandi University and the classes would start in July.”
The CM also announced to give revised UGC scales to college and university teachers and said notification in this regard would be issued within a month.
He said. “This day would go down in the annals of history of the state as golden moments since second university of the state is being started at Mandi after the first university HPU at Shimla started 52 years ago and would benefit a large number of students from far flung areas of this region in acquiring higher education.”
The CM said, “The University has been named after Sardar Patel, first home minister of Independent India for his valuable contribution in integrating 565 princely states into India and hoped the university would emerge a great center of higher education”.
Recalling his days in Mandi Vallabh College , he said, “ Mandi college is one of the biggest colleges of the state and my learning and experiences during the college days is helping me in overcoming different problems faced in life even today; the additional building in the college would be complete by September” , he added .
The CM said, “The state government has taken several steps like starting Medical University Mandi, converting Mandi municipal committee into a Corporation and development projects like Shiv Dham , Greenfield Airport project etc. would be completed soon.”
Jal Shakti Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, Education Minister Govind Thakur and Principal Secretary Education Rajneesh Kumar also addressed on this occasion.
Vice Chancellor of university Prof. DD Sharma welcoming the guests hoped the university would emerge as a premier university in times to come. Several MLAs and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.