Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today launched 'Sampooran Gramin Vikas' programme under which 18 private and government universities will adopt 150 villages.
A decision in this regard was taken at a high-level meeting of the Chief Minister with the Vice Chancellors of 18 universities of Punjab, an official spokesperson said.
Likewise, General Manager of NABARD also agreed to adopt five villages, he said.
Experts of the universities would prepare a suitable plan for the development of the adopted villages in accordance with the locals' demands after undertaking socio-economic surveys.
The universities have to submit list of villages adopted by them within a week, he said.
While formulating the plan thrust would be on education, healthcare and vocational training, he said.
The Chief Minister while underscoring the need for a comprehensive survey said it must cover all the aspects related to rural development else this exercise would be "totally futile".
Describing the universities as "lighthouse of expertise and technique", Badal said that they could play a pivotal role in the holistic development of the villages.
This task must be completed with missionary zeal so as to get the desired results, he said, adding, "I will personally monitor the development work in these villages after six months".
The Chief Minister said that there was no dearth of talent in the rural youth but due to lack of proper guidance they lag behind in life.
Citing the example of Meritorious schools opened across the state, Badal said that such efforts were yielding the desired results of empowering the students belonging to weaker sections through tool of knowledge.
He exhorted the Vice Chancellors of the universities to meet the students of these schools and give proper guidance to them for meeting the future challenges.
During the meeting Punjab Agriculture University and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary University agreed to adopt 51 and six villages respectively.
While Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjabi University, Punjab University, Central University of Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Technical University, Punjab Technical University, Lovely Professional University, Chandigarh University, Desh Bhagat University, Chitkara University, Ryat Bahra University, Sri Guru Granth Sahib University, Guru Kashi University, Adesh University, GNA University and Sant Baba Bhag Singh University also agreed to adopt five villages each, the Spokesperson said.
