AIZAWL, Oct 29 - Union Minister of State for HRD Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey today inaugurated a girls hostel attached to the Mizoram University in Aizawl today.
The girls hostel has been constructed at the cost of Rs 578.36 lakh with funds from University Grants Commission (UGC). It has nine triple rooms, 32 double rooms and 15 single rooms.
The Union MoS later had a meeting with the Mizoram University�s vice-chancellor Prof R Lalthantluanga, teachers and staff, and lent ears to the problems and needs of the university. The HRD Minister promised that he would do his best to develop the infrastructure of the Mizoram University and committed for construction of the varsity�s football ground by next year.
Earlier in the morning, Pandey had interacted with officials of the State�s Higher & Technical Department. The State officials informed him of the various problems, including the slow internet connectivity in the State that hampers online scholarship application, the need for recruitment of more teachers under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), renovation of Mizoram Hindi Training College and the delayed release of fund NLCPR for upgradation of four colleges in Mizoram.
Pandey said development of the Northeastern region is one of the top priorities of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who accordingly instructed all the Ministers to visit the region as frequently as possible to see the people�s needs first hand.
Pandey said, �By changing previous �Look East� policy into the �Act East� policy with more specific thrust, the Central Government is committed for the overall development of the North East.�
Pandey, who arrived here yesterday, called on Mizoram Governor Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma (rtd) at Raj Bhavan here.
The Governor brought to the notice of the Union MoS several issues of the State, including appointments of VC for Mizoram University, director and chairman of NIT Mizoram and principals for several JNVs and Eklavya Schools. The Governor also brought up the plight of Centrally-sponsored Hindi teachers who have not been paid for months.
Talking of the need for popularisation of Hindi in Mizoram, the Governor suggested opening of Hindi regional centre in the State and training of teachers to enable them to teach Hindi. He also stressed the need for inclusion of skill development course in the higher secondary schools that would help the students in seeking jobs.
He assured the Governor to look into the issues he had brought up.
