Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal claimed that the State Government had allocated 19 percent of the total State budget and was spending Rs. 3165 crore on Education this year, which was highest in the country, whereas the Centre was spending 4.86 percent. He was speaking on the occasion of annual function of Senior Secondary School, Kakkadyar at Hamirpur today.
Chief Minister said that to ensure qualitative education to the students in the State, the State Government was paying attention to strengthen education sector. He said that the basic infrastructural facilities were being upgraded so as to make Himachal Pradesh Education Hub of the country. He said that during the earlier term of the BJP Government from 1998-2003 in the State, Saraswati Bal Vidya Sankalp Yojna was implemented with the assistance of NABARD under which Rs. 106 crore were spent to construct 13,672 rooms in all Primary Schools of the State.
Chief Minister said that as against National average of 1:40, the teacher-student ratio was 1:18 in the State, which amply speaks of the impetus State Government is providing to education sector. He said that living standard of people had improved considerably and per capita income had gone up from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 58,493 in the State. He said that it had been mandatory for all Engineering Colleges in the State to get themselves affiliated to the Technical University set up at Hamirpur district so that the interests of the students were protected.
Chief Minister announced to give Rs. 5000 to Mahila Mandals and school students for cultural programmes. He also announced to give Rs. 10 lakh for constructing examination hall, Science Laboratory at Kakkadyar and Bohni Kakkadyar School and Rs. 70,000 for construction of basketball court at Kakkadyar School. On this occasion, Prof Dhumal also honoured the meritorious students.
Rasil Singh Mankotia, Chairman, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank congratulated the Chief Minister on winning 55 Awards for the State at National level and said that the state had witnessed unprecedented growth and development under the leadership of Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister during last four years. Sukhdev, Pradhan, Nadsal Gram Pnchayat welcomed the CM and apprised him of the various demands of the Panchayat.
Sunil Kumar, Chairman, School Management Committee welcomed the CM and put forth various demands of the school including Science Block and examination hall. Ajay Singh, Principal of the school read out the annual report of the school. Pyre Lal Sharma, Chairman APMC, M.C. Parmar, Chairman Ex-servicemen Corporation, Ajeet Chauhan, Vice-Chairman HIMCOFED, Maya Rana, Vice-President State BJP, Des Raj Sharma, President District BJP, Dharmendra Sharma, Vice-Chairman Municipal Council, Bina Sharma, Member, State BJP Executive, other senior officers and prominent persons of the area were present on the occasion.
