Chandigarh [India], August 12 (HornbillTV): Punjab Minister for Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation, Harpal Singh Cheema, has approved the release of INR 25.75 crore for new degree colleges being established across Punjab.

In a statement issued here today, he said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Government is committed to strengthening the higher educational infrastructure in the state.

Towards this end, the Department of Finance has approved the release of funds to 10-degree colleges in the State, he said.

He further added that the Finance Department has also released a total of INR 30.23 to the Higher Education and Language Department during the last four months. It includes INR 22.5 crore to Punjabi University, Patiala, INR 7.1 crore for Panjab University, Chandigarh and INR 6.2 crore for Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Open University, Patiala.

Sharing the details of the funds being released for new degree colleges, Cheema said that the Finance Department has approved the release of funds amounting to INR 4.56 crore for Government College Abohar (Fazilka), INR 4.26 for Government College Mahian Anandpur Sahib, (Ropar), INR 3.80 crore for Government College Chabbewal Mukhliana, Hoshiarpur, INR 3.71 crore for Government College for Girls, Malerkotla, INR 1.97 crore for Government College Sidhpur, Gurdaspur, INR 1.86 crore for Government College, Husner, Gidarbaha, Sri Muktsar Sahib, INR 1.10 crore for Government College Jadla, SBS Nagar, INR 65 Lakh for Government College Dholbaha, Hoshiarpur, INR 98 Lakh for Government College Shahkot, Jalandhar and INR 2.86 crore for Government College Danewala, Malout.

Describing quality education as one of the key priorities of the Bhagwant Mann government, the Finance Minister said that INR 205.13 crore has been released to the School Education department during the first four months of the current FY 2022-23. He said that the Education Sector of the state will not face any shortage of funds as the Punjab Government is committed to securing the future of the state.