Cabinet approves Central University in Ladakh, to cost ₹750 crore
The integrated multipurpose corporation will work on developing several sectors in Ladakh
New Delhi, July 22, 2021: Union Cabinet has approved the formation of a Central University in the union territory of Ladakh. This upcoming university will be constructed with a project cost of ₹750 crore. The first phase of the university will be completed in four years, informed Union minister Anurag Thakur while announcing Cabinet decisions on Thursday.
The bill for amending Central Universities Act, 2009 will be introduced to facilitate the formation of Central University in Ladakh.
“Establishing this university will remedy regional imbalances in the field of higher education and help intellectual growth in the region, as well as aid propagation of higher education. The central university will also become a model for other educational institutes in the region,” Thakur said.
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.
The Cabinet also announced formation of a integrated multipurpose corporation for shouldering development projects for Ladakh while keeping in mind the tough terrain of the region, said Thakur.
“This corporation will look after development of industries, tourism, transport services in Ladakh and marketing of local products and handicraft. It will also aid infrastructure development and will function as the primary infrastructure construction agency in Ladakh,” the minister informed.
The corporation will be formed under the Companies Act with an authorised share capital of ₹25 crore, Thakur said, adding that the annual outlay for the corporation will be ₹2.42 crore.
The corporation will drive development efforts in the region and create job opportunities there, the minister said.
After the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, an advisory committee was constituted under Section 85 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 for making recommendations regarding the apportionment of the assets and liabilities of the erstwhile state between the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The panel suggested establishment of an integrated infrastructure development corporation on the lines of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO), with an appropriate mandate to take up various developmental activities as per the specific needs of Ladakh.
Accordingly, the Union Territory of Ladakh had sent a proposal for the establishment of such a corporation, which was recommended by the Committee on Establishment Expenditure (CEE), Ministry of Finance in April 2021.
