Banihal, Apr 10: A grand welcome was accorded to MLA Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen, by people of Banihal and Ramsoo sub-divisions on his arrival in Banihal following his efforts for the proposed university campus in the area.
Hundreds of people and party workers on Friday gathered along the old highway at Ramsoo , Nachilana and Gund Banihal to welcome MLA Sajjad Shaheen and escorted him in a celebratory procession towards Banihal town. Residents from Gool, Ramsoo, Pogal, Neel, Khari and Banihal areas participated in large numbers, reflecting widespread public support.
Addressing a public gathering at Bus Stand Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen expressed gratitude to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, and other legislators for supporting the bill for the proposed university campus, which was recently passed unanimously in the Assembly.
He said that efforts are underway to operationalise the campus at the earliest, adding that classes are likely to begin from Government Degree College Banihal next year after receiving formal approval from the concerned university authorities.
It may be mentioned here that the proposal for establishing a university campus in Banihal gained momentum after sustained public demand and was recently approved through a private member’s bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The move is being seen as a major step towards strengthening higher education infrastructure in the hilly and remote areas of Ramban district.
