Anurag Thakur, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, stated on Thursday that the Union Cabinet had approved the establishment of a Central University in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
“Two important decisions for Ladakh have been taken. The Cabinet has approved a Central University in Ladakh at a cost of Rs 750 crore and an integrated, multi-purpose corporation will be set up in Ladakh,” Union minister Anurag Thakur said.
The bill for amending Central Universities Act, 2009 will be introduced to facilitate the formation of Central University in Ladakh.
The jurisdiction of the upcoming Central University will cover the entire Ladakh region, including Leh and Kargil. These regions were left out of the jurisdictions of central universities in Jammu and Kashmir after the state was bifurcated into two union territories.
Name of University is yet to decide
The government has identified 110 acres of land near village Khaltsi, which is located between Leh and Kargil. “The university’s location has been decided in such a way that both Leh and Kargil can benefit from this institution,” said the ministry official, adding that the university’s name will be decided soon.
The Central University in Ladakh, a long-awaited demand, will resolve regional inequalities in higher education and boost the UT’s general growth and development, he said.
LIIDCO will look at development of industries & tourism
The Union minister stated that the Ladakh Integrated Infrastructure Growth Corporation Limited (LIIDCO) will look at the development of industries and tourism in the region.
“This will aid in setting up infrastructure. It will operate as Ladakh’s main construction agency. This will be set up under the Companies Act,” Anurag Thakur said.
Annual expenditure on the corporation will be Rs 2.42 crore, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on last Independence Day had announced that a new university would be established in Ladakh. The Union finance Minister had also announced about it in the Budget Speech 2021-22.
( With ANI Inputs)
