In order to make the state and private universities, a partner in the overall development of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today embarked ‘Sampooran Gramin Vikas’ program under which the universities gave concurrence to adopt 150 villages to give fillip to its progress.A decision to this effect was taken in a high level meeting of the Chief Minister with the Vice Chancellors of the 19 universities of the state held here at Punjab Bhawan, this morning.It was decided in the meeting that every university would submit the list of villages adopted by it within a week after which the experts of these universities would undertake socio-economic survey of these villages to prepare a suitable plan for their development in accordance with the demands of the public. While formulating the plan thrust would be given to education, healthcare and vocational education. As per the guidance of the university, government would try to implement these schemes for the well being of people.
Describing the universities as ‘lighthouse of expertise and technique’, the Chief Minister said that they could play a pivotal role in the holistic development of the villages. Underscoring the need for a comprehensive survey, he said that it must cover all the aspects related to rural development else this exercise would be totally futile. Mr. Badal said that this task must be completed with missionary zeal so as to get the desired results. “I will personally monitor the development work in these villages after six months” he added.The Chief Minister said that there was no dearth of talent in the rural youth but due to lack of proper guidance they lag behind in life. Citing the example of Meritorious schools opened across the state, Mr. Badal said that such efforts were yielding the desired results to empower the students of weaker sections through tool of knowledge. He exhorted the Vice Chancellors of the universities to meet the students of these Meritorious schools in their districts, so as to give proper guidance to them for meeting the future challenges.
During the meeting Punjab Agriculture University and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary University agreed to adopt 51 and six villages respectively whereas Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar, Punjabi University Patiala, Punjab University Chandigarh, Central University of Punjab Bathinda, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Technical University Bathinda, Punjab Technical University Jalandhar, Lovely Professional University Jalandhar, Chandigarh University Gharuan, Desh Bhagat University, Chitkara University, Ryat Bahra University, Sri Guru Granth Sahib University, Guru Kashi University, Adesh University, GNA University and Sant Baba Bhag Singh University also agreed to adopt five villages each. Likewise, General Manager of NABARD also agreed to adopt five villages.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Advisor to Chief Minister on National Affairs and Media Mr. Harcharan Bains, Principal Secretary Higher Education Mr. KAP Sinha, Special Principal Secretaries to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema and Mr. Ajoy Sharma, Acting Vice Chancellor of IK Gujral Punjab Technical University Mr. Rakesh Verma, GM NABARD Mr. Krishan Singh besides Chancellors and Vice Chancellors of the universities.