Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday said the State Government would open more educational institutions wherever required after taking into consideration the strength of the students.
However, rationalisation of those institutes would be considered where the number of students was less, said the Chief Minister while addressing a public meeting at Baddi in Doon constituency of Solan district
He said the present Government had laid top priority to provide best educational facilities to the youth and a number of colleges and schools had been opened especially in the remote and rural areas to facilitate them, especially the girl students.
He said four colleges were opened in Solan district alone during this period besides opening and up-grading 51 schools.
The Chief Minister said that the present State Government had ensured equitable and speedy development of all areas of the State irrespective of regionalism or any other considerations.
He gave a clarion call to the people of the State to adopt organic farming, horticulture, floriculture and vegetable production at a large scale by taking advantage of modern techniques to increase their income. He said that Government was providing subsidy on these sectors under various schemes and ` 1115 crore Horticulture Development Project was also being implemented to strengthen the horticulture sector.
Referring to the development of Baddi area, the Chief Minister said a Mega Tool Room amounting to `102 crore was being established and Plastic Engineering College had also been opened besides establishment of a Trade Centre by spending `15 crore which would go a long way in strengthening the industrial sector.
Additional funds would be provided for those irrigation schemes of the constituency which were nearing completion during this financial year. A sum of `2,292 crore was being spent to provide irrigation and drinking water facilities in the areas of the State, he said.
Earlier, the Chief Minister launched the installation of 1,500 solar photo voltaic street lights in BBNDA at a cost of `3.50 crore and inaugurated Mahila Thana at Baddi. He also inaugurated lift drinking water supply scheme Jharmajri which will benefit 4,693 persons of the area and also inaugurated science block of GBSS Nalagarh.