Commissioner Secretary Power Development Department, Hirdesh Kumar today laid the foundation stone of Government Degree College, Batote in presence of District Development Commissioner Ramban, Showkat Aijaz Bhat, here. ADC Dr. Basharat Hussain, Principal GDC Ramban Ravinder Tiku, various senior officers and a large number of people from all walks of life from Tehsil Batote were present on the occasion.On the occasion, Kumar said that establishing a Degree College here was a long pending demand of people of Batote area, which is the oldest town of district Ramban as well as centre of various areas. He said GDC Batote will cater to the need of higher education of inhabitants of various villages and scores of Panchayat halqas.He said that Governor’s administration is committed to take higher education to the far-flung areas of the State. He further said that PWD (R&B) Department has been entrusted with the job of construction of building infrastructure of the College with all modern amenities within a stipulated time.DDC gave a brief of facilities and infrastructure available in the district besides other ongoing developmental activities. He asked the people to provide suitable land for the construction of Kendrya Vidyalaya in Batote. Commissioner Secretary along with DDC also interacted with local Sarpanchs, Panchs besides general public to listen to their demands and issues.The local deputations apprised the dignitaries about their demands including starting of classes at newly sanctioned Degree College and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) at Batote.Earlier, people of the area warmly welcomed the Commissioner Secretary and DDC besides expressing their gratitude to Governor’s administration for opening a Degree College at Batote.