Patna, Feb. 1: The long-standing demand of female students of the minority community to have a hostel exclusively for them was fulfilled today with state minority welfare minister Shahid Ali Khan inaugurating the new Mother Teresa Minority Girls’ Hostel, on the premises of Patna University.

The 100-bed hostel will now accommodate the girls who used to earlier lodge in rented rooms, across the state capital.

Patna University pro-vice-chancellor S.I. Ahson said though the construction of the hostel was completed in March last year, it was inaugurated only today because of a number of problems.

Khan said: “The NDA-II government is committed to the welfare of all sections of the society. This hostel is an extension of Nitish Kumar’s promise to ensure the welfare of minority students.”

The minister also said the government has initiated a number of welfare programmes for the minority community, such as Hunar Yojna, under which students are provided financial help to pursue their studies.

Khan also distributed scholarships worth Rs 10,000 each to 216 boys and 174 girls.

Sudipto Adhikari, the acting vice-chancellor of Patna University, said the hostel would be very helpful for the students. The varsity had long planned to set it up.

The university also has Iqbal Hostel for boys of the minority community.

Patna University had earlier constituted a governing body, with Ahson as the chairman, to ensure the proper functioning of the hostel.

Urdu department head Ezaj Ali Arshad, Women’s Training College principal Munnowar Jahan, Persian department head Abid Hussain and Patna College psychology teacher Iftekhar Hussain are also members of the governing body. Jahan will serve as the hostel’s superintendent.