Three districts in the State, including two in the coastal region, have no Government college so far.
This was revealed from a statement by Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari in the Assembly on Wednesday.
Replying to a question by BJD member Saluga Pradhan, Pujari on behalf of Higher Education Minister Arun Sahoo informed the House that there are 52 Government-run colleges in 27 districts, out of which Ganjam and Sundargarh have five colleges each.
However, there is no Government college in Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur and Jharsuguda districts. Nor has any proposal been made by the Government for setting up State-run college in these districts, Pujari said.
After the Minister’s answer, MLA Pradhan demanded a Government college in Daringbadi in his native Kandhamal district. And BJP Deputy Leader in the House Bishnu Charan Sethi demanded setting up of a Unitary University in his Bhadrak district.
Also, Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra expressed his concern over teachers’ shortage in the colleges in his Balangir district.
BJD member Bhupinder Singh from Kalahandi district wanted the Government to set up women colleges in all the districts.
