-Chief Minister performs ‘bhoomi puja' for Vikrama Simhapuri University buildings
-Sanctioned another 10 crores for university development
Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy performed ‘bhoomi puja' for the construction of Vikrama Simhapuri University (VSU) buildings, estimated at a cost of Rs.12.5 crore at Kakuturu village in Venkatachalam mandal in Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district on Sunday.
An administrative building, academic block and women's hostel would be constructed at the 83-acre site allotted for the new university.
Addressing a public meeting at the university site, Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy said that priority was being given to education. Government has been taking all steps to provide education for all sections, particularly the SC, ST, OBC and for BPL children in the society, he said.
Stating that nearly 45 universities were located in the State, the Chief Minister said 15 institutions were established three years ago and asked the VSU officials to shape the university into a model institution in Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy sanctioned Rs.10 crore additional grant for development of the new university.
The government was spending about Rs.3, 500 crore towards Fee Reimbursement Scheme and Scholarships per annum for 27 lakh students. Many big institutions have come up in the State in the recent past and efforts were being made to bring IIM to Andhra Pradesh, he said.
When Sarvepalli MLA Adala Prabhakar Reddy asked to sanction a Gurukula Patasala for fishermen children in the district, the Chief Minister agreed to set up a Residential School for Yanadi tribe children. He also assured to sanction a medical college, a high-level bridge across Penna river, ring road and a high-level lift irrigation scheme at Somasila village in the district.
New mission
The State government would be launching a new mission ‘Rajiv Education and Employment' for providing quality education and jobs for youth. Under this project, courses which have demand in the market would be introduced in colleges and universities, and suitable employment would be given after completion of the course by having tie-up with industries.
The government has set a target to provide employment for 15 lakh youth in the next three years, said the Chief Minister.
MP Nedurumalli Janardhan Reddy said the government is making efforts to start a scientific study centre on Oceanography in the sea coast villages in Nellore district. Recalling that VSU was the dream of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekara Reddy, the Rajya Sabha member asked the varsity officials to get the name ‘University of Excellence' for VSU.
