Ropar, July 27: The state government has shelved the plan to set up a skill development university at Chamkaur Sahib. Instead of a full-fledged university, the town will now get a constituent college of the IK Gujral Punjab Technical University in Jalandhar.
Local MLA and Punjab Technical Education Minister had promised to set up a skill development university in Chamkaur Sahib during his election campaign. Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal had made an announcement in this regard on March 24 during his budget speech. On September 15 last year, Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu had announced that Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had approved 100 acres of land for the university in Chamkaur Sahib.
Sources said the state government, which is facing a shortage of funds, had shelved the plan to set up the university as it required at least Rs 100 crore. They said it was decided that the PTU would be asked to set up a constituent college in the area, for which 42 acres of land was being allocated, said the sources. They said according to plans, the college could be upgraded to a university when funds were available.
Cabinet minister Channi confirmed that the PTU was setting up a constituent college in Chamkaur Sahib. He, however, claimed that at a later stage, a university with a different centre of excellence would be set up separately in the area.
Source Tribune India
