Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said education along-with health and roads was among the top priorities of the State government and concerted efforts were being made to develop Himachal Pradesh as an education hub of the country. He was speaking while presiding over the annual function-cum-get together of the Nankhari Students Association organised at the Gaiety Theatre, Shimla. The Chief Minister said that his government was according priority for opening schools and colleges as per the requirements by making adequate budgetary provisions for developing proper infrastructure and requisite staff in these institutions. He said that Nankhari college was recently announced by his government keeping in view the needs of youth of the area. The previous BJP government announced many colleges in the State without making budgetary provisions and Nankhari college was also one of these. He said that the present government has also decided to re-open 149 schools de-notified by the BJP government and more educational institutes would be opened as per the requirement and strength of the students.
Shri Virbhadra Singh said that government was committed to provide better facilities for higher education within the State and special emphasis has been laid on technical and vocational education so that youth could be prepared for better employment and self-employment avenues. He said that Himachal Pradesh was among the leading State in the country to set up Lokayukta and it would be further strengthened by bringing necessary changes. He announced Rs. 50,000 to the Nankhari Students Association from his discretionary fund to promote cultural activities. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Shri Nand Lal thanked the Chief Minister for announcing Nankhari college and other developmental projects of the area.
Shri Gaurav Thakur, President of the Association welcomed the Chief Minister.Shri Kehar Singh Khachi, President, District Shimla Rural Congress Committee, Former Deputy Mayor, Shri Harish Janartha, Shri Brij Lal, Chairman, Kailash Federation, Shri Satish Verma, President, Rampur Block Congress, Shri Saheb Singh, senior congress leader and other prominent persons of the town were present on the occasion.