AIADMK govt has set up 76 new arts and science colleges across Tamil Nadu since 2011

Salem: AIADMK government has set up 76 new arts and science colleges across Tamil Nadu since 2011 increasing the percentage of those pursuing higher studies from 21 to 44.38, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said on Monday.

Addressing students at the Government Arts and Science in his home constituency of Edappadi after inaugurating new buildings built at a cost of Rs 3.79 crore, Palaniswami recalled that the college was set up by late J. Jayalalithaa during her 2011-2016 term after a demand was placed by him. Pointing out that Jayalalithaa took several steps to improve educational infrastructure in Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami said as many as 65 new arts and science colleges were set up in the state after she came back to power in 2011.

“After her, the Amma government that is in power since last year, 11 more colleges have been set up taking the number of new colleges set up since 2011 to 76. As a result, the percentage of those pursuing higher studies in the state has gone up from 21 per cent to 44.38 per cent,” he told the students.

The Chief Minister asked students to use “several facilities and opportunities” being provided by the government to pursue higher studies. Later, the Chief Minister also reviewed progress of projects in his constituency and interacted with people. He also received petitions from the public at the government guest house in Edappadi.