West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that her government was committed to the overall development of the hills and well-being of the people.
“My government is committed to the overall development of the Hills and well-being of my brothers and sisters in the Hills whom I love so much,” Banerjee said, after laying the foundation of an Education Hub and Himalayan Centre of Presidency University at Dow Hill.
Banerjee said: “Centres of learning, skill development and research will come up in the area, attracting students and researchers from across the country and abroad.”
The CM said these institutes would come to the aid of those students who have to otherwise visit other places for higher education. “I have not come to the Hills with any political interest in mind. The government is determined to set up higher education facilities in the Hills and these two projects of Rs 30 crore is one of them,” she said.
“Subjects like <g data-gr-id="23">astro-physics</g>, <g data-gr-id="24">bio-diversity</g> and global warming will be the focal ones at the Presidency University’s Himalayan Centre, apart from other regular subjects,” she said. The CM said the state government’s initiative towards higher education facilities would be there apart from the GTA's proposal of a Central University in the Hills.
Banerjee also sanctioned Rs 2 crore each for infrastructure development of Dow Hills Boys' School and Dow Hills Girls' School and said construction work of <g data-gr-id="20">two degree</g> colleges at Gorubathan and <g data-gr-id="19">Pedong</g>.