Centre is taking all necessary steps to offer free higher education opportunities, says Smriti Irani. The HRD Minister said the e-library concept would also be implemented extensively on university campuses.

Union Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani on Sunday said the Centre gave top priority to creation of educational opportunities, and digital libraries would be provided at all universities as part of the mission.

During her day-long visit to Nellore district, she took part in the Sri Venkateswara Vaibhavotsavams and later visited Swarna Bharath Trust at Venkatachalam and Akshara International School at Saraswathinagar.

Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana, Medical and Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas, Roads and Buildings Minister Siddha Raghava Rao and Swarna Bharath Trust managing trustee Deepa Venkat accompanied Ms. Irani.

The HRD Minister said the e-library concept would also be implemented extensively on university campuses.

She said the Centre was taking all necessary steps to offer free higher education opportunities in future.

Ms. Irani lauded the efforts of the Akshara International School management to create better educational facilities, besides its stress on personality development of students.

Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, in his speech, said there was no dearth of intellectual talent in the country, and that it was imperative to encourage students to make significant contributions to society.

He said basic facilities such as drinking water and toilets would be provided at all schools in the country.

Earlier, Mr. Naidu, along with Ministers from the State, inaugurated a railway overbridge near Manubolu. He said the Centre had initiated steps for the development of railway network to meet the emerging needs of people.