Kolkata, July 9 (UNI) The Presidency College will enjoy financial and administrative autonomy but would remain within the University Affiliatory System.

Stating this in the Assembly here today, Higher Education Minister Sudarshan Roychowdhury said the decision has been taken to maintain the 'high' educational standard of the premier college and for its further development.

''The state government is committed to improving the overall educational standard of West Bengal and the decision is a step in that direction,'' Mr Roychowdhury said.

Admitting 'some infrastructural lapses' in a few colleges across the state, he said a team of inspectors would visit such colleges without giving any notice and the grant to those would depend on the report of the inspectors.

Referring to the engineering education, he said requests were being made for increasing the faculty in engineering colleges and his department was considering the demand.

Earlier, School Education Minister Partha Dey said the dropout rates had been reduced to 19 per cent in the state while enrollment rates in the primary schools were increased.

Mr Dey also claimed that West Bengal was also ahead with regard to women's education as compared to other states of the country.

UNI