The Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) received a whopping Rs. 100 crore in the Union Budget for taking up research activities.
Officials and students were pleasantly surprised to the university name in the budget speech of the Union Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee. This is the first time that the varsity is getting such a huge amount and it is the only institution from the State to have received such amount.
In-charge Vice-Chancellor of ANGRAU, V. Nagi Reddy told The Hindu that the money will be used for creating infrastructure, improving the laboratories and buying new equipment in order to improve the research and extension activities. Focus will be on biotechnology and IT laboratories. The funds will also be used to develop polytechnics under the university.
Mr. Reddy admitted that Chief Minister, N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Union Minister for Petroleum S. Jaipal Reddy and ANGRAU alumnus and Parliament member, Rajaiah, played a key role in getting the allocation.