Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board has lauded the efforts of Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister for initiating measures to strengthen the education sector. He said that State Government decision to re-open 149 schools which were de-notified during previous Government regime besides providing free travelling facility in HRTC buses to all the students studying in Government educational institutions from the next academic session 2013 was laudable. It would prove beneficial for the students who cannot afford to bear the travelling expenses. Moreover, reopening the 149 schools would be helpful for the children to get education at their door steps.
He also lauded the efforts of Chief Minister for getting approval from Government of India of Rs. 22,800 crore 12th Five Year Plan for the State which was 65 percent higher than the previous five year plan of Rs. 14000 crore. He also appreciated the decision taken by the Chief Minister for taking effective steps in framing policy for regularization of PTA Teachers in the State.Shri Pathania also lauded the decision of Chief Minister to enhance social security pension from Rs. 450 to Rs. 500 per month. He said that this would benefit the poor and needy sections of the society and it was in accordance with promises made in Election Manifesto of Congress Party which had been adopted as the Policy Document of the Government. He said that the decision of State Government to provide free travelling facility to the mothers and their new born babies from hospital to their home was also a laudable decision. Shri Pathania said that the decision of State Government to launch a plantation drive by removing lantana grass which would not only prove boon to the farmers but also increase the forest cover as it has become a big problem in the State over covering the maximum cultivable area.