New Delhi, September 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria held a series of meetings with President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan and several Union Ministers in New Delhi on Tuesday, raising key issues concerning drug de-addiction, healthcare, education, flood management, infrastructure and cultural development in Punjab and Chandigarh.
During a courtesy meeting with President Droupadi Murmu, Kataria invited her to attend the Vijay Diwas function scheduled to be held at the Afsawala War Memorial in Fazilka district, Punjab, in December.
In his meeting with Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Kataria discussed the objective of making Panjab University, Chandigarh, the country’s number one university. He also raised the proposal for an AI Centre, following the Vice President’s commitment during his recent visit to the university.
Drug de-addiction and rehabilitation in Chandigarh were among the key issues discussed with Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah. Kataria sought the Centre’s support for making Chandigarh drug-free, emphasising the need for comprehensive rehabilitation of people affected by substance abuse. He also called for skill development programmes after rehabilitation and suitable employment opportunities to help them reintegrate into society.
During his meeting with Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Kataria sought 36 additional postgraduate seats in the medical college. He also requested financial assistance of Rs 2,000 crore for the Chandigarh Regional Medical Hub, proposing that the project be developed as a fully government-funded facility.
Education infrastructure and institutional governance were discussed with Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi. Kataria requested that Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh, be granted the status of a fully Centrally Funded Technical Institution (CFTI), on the lines of Bengal College of Engineering, Shibpur, West Bengal.
He also sought the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor for Punjab Engineering College, which currently holds deemed-to-be-university status, in accordance with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2018.
Flood management in Punjab’s border districts was another significant issue raised during Kataria’s meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister Chandrakant Raghunath Patil. Highlighting the extensive damage caused by floods in the Ravi river in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts, Kataria sought a comprehensive, long-term strategy to prevent recurring floods and provide a permanent solution to the problem.
Kataria also expressed gratitude to Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for approving Rs 93 crore for Ajj Sarovar in Kharar and approximately Rs 19 crore for establishing a Digital Museum at the Le Corbusier Centre in Sector 19, Chandigarh.
The meetings were aimed at strengthening coordination between the Punjab and Chandigarh administrations and the Union Government to advance development, infrastructure and public welfare initiatives in the region.
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