Thunag Horticulture College to be shifted to Sundernagar

Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi today said that the College of Horticulture and Forestry at Thunag in Mandi district would be shifted to Sundernagar in view of the recent cloudbursts and flashfloods. “It is no longer feasible to continue holding classes at the College of Horticulture and Forestry in Thunag. Keeping student’s safety in mind, the government has decided to shift the college to Sundernagar as a temporary arrangement,” he added.

There are around 300 students enrolled in the college located not too far from a stream in Thunag. Most of the students stay in rented accommodation close to the college. They had a narrow escape on the night cloudbursts occurred.

The minister said that Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, had been directed to immediately identify a suitable location in Sundernagar for the college and start academic activities there at the earliest. “Students’ education has already been disrupted due to the rain disaster. They will be given extra time to prepare for examinations,” he added.

On the issue of disaster relief, Negi said that after the 2023 rain disaster, a Post Disaster Needs Assessment of Rs 10,000 crore was submitted to the Central Government. “However, the Central Government released only Rs 2,006 crore after a delay of two years and still the state was required to contribute 25 per cent of the amount,” he added.

Negi said that BJP national president and Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who hails from Bilaspur, along with four Lok Sabha MPs from the state, should take up the matter of relief funds with the Union Government. He added that Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut visiting disaster-hit families by crossing rivers and walking through dangerous terrain was not something that an actress could have handled. “Kangana is more suited for Bollywood where the stage is ready, makeup artists are present and even dialogues are written for her,” he said.