Nashik to get tribal varsity, assures Governor Radhakrishnan

Nashik: Governor C P Radhakrishnan on Monday announced that a tribal university will be set up in Nashik.The announcement came following requests from several elected representatives, who met the Governor during his day-long Nashik visit. Radhakrishnan said the proposed university will take 80% tribal students and 20% non-tribal students. The proposed varsity would help tribal students pursue their higher studies."The university will be established for the social development of this area. This university will have the best facilities for engineering, information technology etc. As Nashik is developing industrially, this university will enhance the employability of tribal students," he said.District guardian minister Dada Bhuse, deputy speaker Narhari Jirwal, MP Bhaskar Bhagre, MLAs Kishore Darade, Mufti Mohammad Ismail, Devyani Pharande, Seema Hire, Nitin Pawar, Rahul Dhikle and Hiraman Khoskar attended the meeting.The elected representatives highlighted the issues faced by Nashik residents. While Khoskar stressed on the need for better health facilities for the tribal communities, Pharande, Hiray and Dhikle drew the Governor's attention to the Godavari river pollution. The Governor advised the Nashik district administration to take proactive steps to reduce the pollution of the Godavari river.The MLAs also highlighted the need to bring in major industries to Nashik, and the importance of water-diversion schemes and river-linking projects to bring water from the west-flowing rivers to the eastern side of the Sahyadris.Governor Radhakrishnan directed Nashik collector to get a clear picture of the various issues faced in Nashik and coordinate with the stakeholders so that all solutions can be worked out. He also assured the elected representatives and political parties that he would raise their concerns to the optimum level and find solutions.Radhakrishnan said that special attention is needed for the development of underdeveloped areas of Nashik district, and asked the officials to identify such pockets for better cooperation at govt level. He highlighted the necessity of technical education and management institutes like the IIM and IIT for Nashik, and assured that these would be considered at govt level.The industrialists' associations also met the Governor and drew his attention to issues like difference in electricity tariff for industries in north Maharashtra and Marathwada, the step-motherly treatment given to north Maharashtra in terms of major industrial investments, the need for food processing and agro-processing industries etc.BOXBhujbal skips Governor's meetingNCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal did not attend the meeting called by the Governor on Monday. The minister instead travelled to Yeola to inaugurate development projects in his constituency."I had planned a visit to Yeola where some works had to be inaugurated. The electoral model code of conduct may be announced soon and, therefore, I wanted to get the work done. It also gave me time to meet people as well."