Smart uniforms to more than 9 lakh govt school students: HP govt

The Himachal Pradesh government today announced two sets of smart uniforms each to more than 9 lakh students of state-run schools.

The announcement was made by Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj while presiding over the district-level Independence Day celebrations here.

He said in order to ensure quality education to youths, the BJP-led state government has launched the 'Mukhyamantri Adarsh Vidya Kendra' scheme under which schools with hostel facilities would be opened in each of the 68 assembly constituencies.

State Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) president Satpal Singh Satti, former Assembly Speaker Radha Raman Shastri, MLA Balveer Verma, Mayor Kusum Sadrate and Deputy Mayor Rakesh Sharma were present at the function.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur presided over the function in Indora of Kangra district.

Assembly Speaker Rajiv Bindal presided over the 72nd Independence Day celebrations at Nahan in Sirmaur district. He honoured Suneel Sharma, a resident of Maina village of Sangrah development block who made his mark in an international marathon event.

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh Thakur presided over the function at Kullu. Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Kishan Kapoor attended the function at Una.

Presiding over the Independence Day celebrations at Hamirpur, Urban Development Minister Sarveen Chaudhary said the state government has started 'Mukhyamantri Swavlamban Yojana' for youths aged between 18 to 35 years to encourage local entrepreneurship.

Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanda presided over the function at Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district. In his address, he said that the state has accorded top priority for crop diversification.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar, presiding over the function at Chamba, said the state has taken a decision to give employment to the kin of martyrs of paramilitary forces on compassionate ground at par with Army.

Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur said at Solan that the government was committed to eradicate social evils from the society. He said Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Punjab and Haryana have agreed to constitute a task force to save the youths from drug abuse.