Teachers to Be Appointed in CBSE Schools Within Two Months: Chief Minister Sukhu.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday announced that the state government will appoint teachers in newly introduced CBSE schools across Himachal Pradesh within the next two months. He said that the Education Department would soon fill 400 lecturer and 400 assistant lecturer posts to strengthen the teaching workforce.
The Chief Minister made the announcement while addressing the 29th Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony of Siddharth Government College Nadaun, where he honoured students who excelled in academics, sports and cultural activities. Congratulating the meritorious students, he said the state government was undertaking major reforms in the education sector to prepare young people for future challenges.
Sukhu said that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum was being introduced in 140 schools across the state. To ensure smooth functioning of these institutions, the government would deploy the required teaching staff within two months. He added that a separate dress code would also be introduced for students studying in these schools.
Highlighting development initiatives, the Chief Minister announced that the government would allocate Rs. 20 crore for the Science College in Hamirpur. He further said that the state had sanctioned Rs. 300 crore for the construction of a cancer hospital in Hamirpur, which would include a super-speciality block. In addition, a Mother and Child Hospital was being built at a cost of Rs. 100 crore to strengthen healthcare services in the region.
Speaking about higher education expansion, Sukhu said new academic programmes would begin soon at Government College Nadaun. Courses in Physics, Biology and Botany would be started, while MCA and MBA programmes would also be introduced from the next academic session. To encourage cultural activities at the college, he announced financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh.
Calling Nadaun both his birthplace and “karmabhoomi,” the Chief Minister said the region would witness rapid development in the coming years. He said that Nadaun was being developed as a major sports tourism hub. A modern sports centre worth Rs. 160 crore was under construction at Khairi and was expected to be completed by June.
The government also plans to develop a riverfront on the Beas River at a cost of Rs. 300 crore. Additionally, a river rafting centre worth Rs. 80 crore and a wellness centre costing Rs. 100 crore would be established to promote tourism and economic growth in the area.
Sukhu said that nine CBSE schools would start functioning in the Nadaun Assembly constituency from the current academic session. He added that a new bus stand costing Rs. 300 crore was also under construction in Hamirpur district. The state government would further invest Rs. 1,500 crore to improve water quality and ensure safe drinking water across Himachal Pradesh.
Recalling his student life and political journey, the Chief Minister said he felt emotional during the counting of votes for the 2022 Assembly elections, which took place at the same college. He said that with the blessings of the people he had been given the opportunity to serve the state as Chief Minister.
He also noted that Hamirpur district was unique in the country for producing two Chief Ministers, mentioning that former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had earlier held the post and that he now had the privilege of serving the state.
Criticising the previous government, Sukhu alleged that nearly Rs. 5,000 crore had been distributed during the elections but the party still lost. He said that during the previous regime Himachal Pradesh had slipped to the 21st position in quality education rankings. However, reforms introduced by the present government had improved the state’s position to fifth place.
The Chief Minister also highlighted several welfare initiatives launched by the government. Under the Dr. Y.S. Vidyarthi Rin Yojna, students can avail loans of up to Rs. 20 lakh for higher education at an interest rate of just one per cent. Through the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, the government bears the cost of higher education for children of widowed women.
He said that orphaned children were being supported under the Children of the State initiative, making Himachal Pradesh the first state in the country to enact legislation ensuring care and support for orphaned children.
Sukhu added that the government had generated Rs. 3,800 crore by closing avenues of corruption and was utilising these funds to launch welfare schemes for different sections of society.
Addressing the youth, he said that the coming years belonged to the young people of Himachal Pradesh. The state government was working towards making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by 2027 and among the most prosperous states in the country by 2032.
Speaking about financial challenges, Sukhu claimed that the previous government had received Rs. 70,000 crore through RDG and GST compensation, while the present government had received only Rs. 17,000 crore as RDG grant. Despite these constraints, he assured that the government would continue to work for public welfare and would not withdraw the restored Old Pension Scheme.
The Chief Minister also outlined improvements in the healthcare sector. He said that the 19-year-old MRI machine at Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla had been replaced with a modern 3-Tesla MRI machine. Advanced medical facilities similar to those at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi were being made available in medical colleges across the state.
He added that model health institutions were being established in every Assembly constituency to ensure specialist doctors were available closer to people’s homes. A statewide HPV vaccination campaign was also underway to protect girls from cervical cancer. Himachal Pradesh would soon introduce the country’s first Nutrition Policy to promote healthier lifestyles.
On the occasion, Sukhu also laid the foundation stone of a multipurpose hall at Government College Nadaun, which will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 17.22 crore.
Several dignitaries, including MLA Vivek Sharma and other public representatives and officials, were present at the event.
