New Delhi, September 29: Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Monday held meetings with the President, Vice President and Union Ministers in New Delhi, taking up a range of issues relating to healthcare, education, drug de-addiction, flood management and cultural development in Punjab and Chandigarh.
In his meeting with President Droupadi Murmu, Kataria extended an invitation to her to attend the Vijay Diwas function scheduled to be held at the Afsawala War Memorial in Fazilka district in December.
Kataria also met Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan and discussed the development of Panjab University. The discussions included the objective of making the university the number one university and establishing an AI Centre, following the commitment made by the Vice President during his recent visit to Panjab University.
Drug de-addiction and rehabilitation figured prominently in Kataria’s meeting with Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. The Governor sought the Centre’s support for making Chandigarh drug-free and for providing rehabilitation, post-rehabilitation skill training and employment opportunities to people affected by drug abuse.
Healthcare infrastructure was another key issue discussed during Kataria’s meeting with Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda. He requested 36 additional postgraduate seats in the medical college and sought ₹2,000 crore for the Chandigarh Regional Medical Hub, with the project proposed to be developed as a fully government-funded facility.
On the education front, Kataria urged Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi to accord Punjab Engineering College the status of a fully Centrally Funded Technical Institution (CFTI), similar to Bengal College of Engineering Shibpur in West Bengal. He also sought the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor for the deemed university in accordance with UGC Regulations, 2018.
The Governor raised concerns over recurring floods caused by the Ravi River in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts during his meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister Chandrakant Raghunath Patil. He sought a comprehensive long-term plan to address flood-related damage and provide a permanent solution.
On the cultural development front, Kataria expressed his gratitude to Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for approving ₹93 crore for Ajj Sarovar in Kharar and approximately ₹19 crore for a Digital Museum at the Le Corbusier Centre, Sector 19, Chandigarh.
The series of meetings focused on enhancing Centre-State coordination and advancing development and welfare initiatives in Punjab and Chandigarh, the press note said.
