Bhubaneswar, Feb. 19: A rural campus of Utkal University to be set up at Chandikhol in Jajpur district will act as a centre for imparting vocational training to the youths.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today made this announcement at the annual function of the varsity's students' union. "The focus will be on instructing the youths with modern techniques in order to provide better employment opportunities to them," said Naveen. An estimated Rs 50 crore will be spent on setting up the campus.#The chief minister also laid the foundation stones for two hostels on the campus.

Focusing on the need of entrepreneurship training among the students, a development and training centre will be built there in the name of former chief minister Biju Patnaik.

The state government will also start a project to convert the campus to an energy-efficient and eco-friendly one. Around Rs 32 crore will be spent for this purpose.

"The government has also sanctioned over Rs 100 crore for the infrastructure development of the varsity. "The varsity continues to be the face of our educational heritage. A number of renowned educators have lifted the glory of this institution, and it is high time that steps were taken to bring back the past glory of this varsity," said Naveen.

To commemorate the glory of the varsity's renowned alumnus, Pranakrushna Parija, the government is also considering setting up of a chair in the biotechnology department.

Members of the students' union presented a few of their demands before the chief minister. "We need medical facilitates on the campus and want its lanes and alleys to be properly illuminated. We also request for closed-circuit television surveillance at the gates and also employment in the vacant teaching and non-teaching posts," said union president Rajesh Raj Swain.

Naveen said that the government would consider the demands. A large number of students and faculty members were present on the occasion.

While the chief minister was on his way to attend the function, a group of the Congress youth wing tried to stop his convoy. The members, all with black flags, hurled eggs at the chief minister's vehicle in front of Keshari Talkies. The members had forced the authorities to stop the convoy for two minutes. Later, police intervened and cleared the route.

"The government has not been able to fulfil the aspirations of the youths. We would continue to demonstrate if the government fails to create job opportunities for us," said state youth Congress president Rajat Chaudhary.

So far, the police have detained two youths in connection with the incident.