DW BUREAU / mandi Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur laid foundation stone of College of Horticulture and Forestry Complex at Thunag in Mandi district today to be constructed by spending an amount of about Rs. 240 crore. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the College Complex would be constructed in a 52,000 square Meter area and would have Administrative Block, Library Building, Playground, Gymnasium, Auditorium, Shopping Centre and Health Centre, separate Girls and boys Hostels and also a PG Hostel. He said that there would be eight Academic Blocks, four each for College of Horticulture and College of Forestry and other related infrastructure. Chief Minister said that in the first phase, two hostels for girls and boys, one Administrative Block and one Academic block would be constructed. He said that the work would be executed by the State Public Works Department. He directed the officers of the Department to ensure time bound completion of this ambitious project. Jai Ram Thakur said that this College would go a long way in giving big boost to the horticulture development in the area. He was also presented a Coffee Table Book by the Vice Chancellor on the occasion. Vice Chancellor of Dr.Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni,Solan Prof. Parvinder Kaushal welcomed the Chief Minister. He said that over 250 students were studying in the College of Horticulture and Forestry at Thunag. Mother of the Chief Minister Brikumu Devi, Director Horticulture Dr. R.K. Pruthiwere present on the occasion among others. Meanwhile, Chief Minister also inaugurated the State Level Suket Devta Mela, Sundernagar at Jawahar Park and participated in the procession from Shukdev Vatika to Jawahar Park, Sundernagar. Earlier, he inaugurated Rs. 37 Lakh Maharana Pratap Memorial, Rs. 10.69 crore Cluster University building in MLSM College, Rs. 2.10 crore Science Block of Government Senior Secondary School (Boys), Rs. 5.70 crore hostel building for specially abled students at Government Industrial Training Institute Sundernagar and Rs. 8.11 crore improvement work. (editor@dailyworld.in)