Himachal: Heated exchanges in House over closing, shifting of institutions

The Vidhan Sabha today witnessed heated exchanges between Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur over closure and shifting of institutions, opened by the previous BJP regime.

It was while replying to a query by Sarkaghat MLA Daleep Thakur that the house saw frayed tempers. Agnihotri informed that 126 new institutions have been notified in the last one year on merit not just in the interest of the people but to ensure uniform and balanced development.

“The issue of shifting of the Horticulture College from Seraj is very close to the heart of the LoP and it hurts him. The land donated for the college will remain safe with the government for opening of institutions in future,” said Agnihotri. The University of Horticulture was shifted from Seraj because of disaster and for ensuring safety of over 300 students, he said.

The Deputy CM said a total of 527 schools with zero enrolment were closed and the 1,400 teachers spared under rationalisation were shifted to other schools having vacancies.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur said 1,869 institutions had been closed after formation of Congress government and the process to close more is still underway.

“A total of 205 bigha land was given for the setting up of Horticulture College in Seraj along with Rs 10 crore budgetary allocation. Will you set it up at the same place and not shift it elsewhere,” he said.

He added that Atal Medical University was being shifted from Mandi to Sarkaghat.

He accused the Congress regime of systematically closing colleges by transferring the teachers so that students leave college and then with no enrolment, these institutions will be closed.