First Science College, AIIMS-Level Ayurved Institute Planned For Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh will get its first science college, with the state government planning to establish the institution in Hamirpur at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced the project on Friday and said Rs 20 crore has already been released. Around 80 kanals, equivalent to 10 acres, of land has been identified for the proposed college.

Sukhu also announced plans to establish an allied and healthcare college in Hamirpur. In addition, an Ayurvedic institute on the lines of AIIMS will be developed on 74 acres in the district, according to a statement issued by the state government. The announcements were made during a prize distribution function at a government college, where the Chief Minister outlined several education and healthcare initiatives.

The Chief Minister described Hamirpur as the "education capital" of Himachal Pradesh and highlighted the achievements of students from the district. He said improving access to quality education remains a major priority for the government and that systemic reforms are being pursued to strengthen educational institutions and improve opportunities for students.

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According to the government statement, more than 156 CBSE schools have been opened to improve access to quality education, particularly for students in rural areas. The initiative has reportedly resulted in an increase of around 24,000 students in enrolment, while Rs 80 crore has been released for the functioning and infrastructure of these schools. The government is also preparing measures to address the shortage of teachers in higher education and is considering rationalisation of colleges to make better use of available resources.

Sukhu said the government was also working to expand employment opportunities for young people in the public sector, with recruitment examinations being conducted through the State Selection Commission and Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. He claimed that no recruitment examination paper had been leaked during his government's tenure, contrasting the situation with the previous BJP government.

During his visit, Sukhu inaugurated a state-of-the-art SRT Lab at the Deputy Director Agriculture Office complex, constructed at a cost of Rs 8.64 crore. He also inaugurated a computer-based testing lab at Hamirpur Degree College, built for Rs 1.50 crore, along with a library equipped with 70 tablets. The Chief Minister additionally laid the foundation stone for a girls' hostel at the college, with the facility expected to cost Rs 9 crore.

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