Corporates can fund facilities in govt institutions: Minister

Puducherry agriculture and education minister R Kamalakannan said here Tuesday the territorial government welcomed the participation of the industrial houses and private institutions in strengthening the infrastructure of government educational institutions.

Addressing reporters, the Minister said the industrial houses and institutions could contribute funds under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) scheme to ensure that government educational institutions had proper infrastructure.

He said the government on its own was battling shortage of funds and decline in grants from the Centre, causing disruption in ensuring adequate infrastructure.

"To tide over the situation, we invite a proactive role by industrial houses and they could contribute funds under the CSR scheme," he said.

Stating that there had been a rise in demand for seats in government higher education institutions, the minister said to meet the demand the government had increased the number of seats to 6,475 in arts and science colleges.

There were 11 such colleges and with the pass percentage in higher secondary schools having increased "the need has arisen to raise the number of seats in the arts and science courses."