Leader of Opposition in Himachal Pradesh Assembly P K Dhumal today claimed the Centre has increased the budget for IIT Mandi from Rs 760 crore to Rs 1,440 crore after he took up the issue of fund shortage for its expansion with Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani.
"She informed me on phone today that Prime Minister Narendra Modi hasincreased the budget from Rs 760 crore to Rs 1,440 crore," Dhumal said, adding he had taken up the matter with Irani during her recent visit to the state.
The former Himachal Chief Minister blamed the state government for "not assessing" the requirement for expansion of the institute in the future and allocating Rs 760 crore in 2008.
"As a consequence, the construction works and expansion programmes were stuck," the senior BJP leader said.
Dhumal thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Irani for enhancing the budget and said, "Soon IIT Mandi would be among the top engineering institutes in the country.
