New Delhi: Govt announces a medical college and five varsities for minorities

New Delhi: The Narendra Modi Government has decided to establish a medical college and five new universities in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and Manipur which go to polls early next year.

Making this announcement on Thursday, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Minorities Affairs said: "We want to establish five universities with world-class institutions where higher education including medical and skill development will be imparted as part of efforts to empower minorities." The plan is to start academic sessions in these new institutions by 2018.

"These universities will have big campuses for residential schools, Ayurved, Unani medical education," he pointed .

Speaking on women enrollment Mr. Naqvi revealed that the government planned to offer 40 % reservation to girl students at the 'world class institutions' under the proposed varsity scheme. He further stated that students from other than minority communities, can also undertake education.

When asked whether the varsities will hold minority tags Naqvi said, "The committee will work out details and decide. But students belonging to other than minority communities can also take admissions there. We will try to give 40 per cent quota to girl students to empower them. It will not be based on religion," he said.

When asked about the sites where the universities would be established, Naqvi revealed that a high level committee will be working that out.

"Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has already suggested us five localities including three at Jaipur and one at Kota for the purpose," Naqvi added.