SHIMLA-16.12.24

CM facilitates adoption of 'Children of the State'

• Appeals to adopt children of Shishu Grih and Ashrams

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today officially handed over the adoption of 'Children of the State' Aryan (a fictitious name) to his adoptive mother at Shishu Grih Tutikandi, Shimla. He congratulated Aryan's adoptive mother and extended his best wishes for a bright and prosperous future for the child.

On this occasion, Chief Minister made an earnest appeal to the affluent members of society to come forward and adopt children growing up in Shishu Grih and orphanages. He said that the state government was making all possible efforts for welfare of underprivileged sections of society and formulating schemes in this direction. He said that the government was now the 'mother and father' to 4,000 helpless children and these children have been officially adopted as 'Children of the State.' The government was bearing their education and other expenses of these children and preparing them to deal with future challenges.

The Chief Minister said that the government has launched the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana’ to support the welfare of vulnerable children. Under this scheme 49 Bal-Balika Ashrams were currently being supported across Himachal Pradesh. He said that Himachal Pradesh was the first state in India to enact a law dedicated to the welfare of such children. He also mentioned the establishment of the Sukh-Aashray Kosh which was playing pivotal role in providing essential support for education and future of such children.

He said that the state government has also launched the ‘Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana’ to ensure the overall development and well-being of all the children in the state. This scheme aims to improve the education, health, and nutrition of children aged 0-27 years from families of widows, abandoned, divorced, or disabled parents.

General Secretary Himachal Pradesh Child Welfare Council Mohan Dutt Sharma and District Programme Officer (Shimla) Mamta Paul were present on the occasion.

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Syllabus related to constitutional values to be incorporated in school curriculum: CM

Heads of schools to send report of teachers going on leave

SHIMLA -16^th December, 2024-While presiding over a review meeting of the Education Department here today, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the syllabus related to constitutional values would be included in the school curriculum. The Government was giving special preference to impart quality education and apprise the students about their duties and responsibilities for their all-around development.

Sh. Sukhu said that six schools each, in every assembly constituency would be equipped with all the necessary facilities like adequate staff and other infrastructural conveniences viz: labs, library etc. He directed the officers to complete all the formalities for setting up these schools in a time bound manner and directed them to prepare parameters for their administrative control. A calendar of activities for the whole year will be prepared for all schools, which will contain details of academic and other activities of each day, he stated.

As a part of 'Vyavastha Parivartan', innovative measures were being adopted to bring rationalisation in the education department. Besides, steps were being taken for deployment of teachers and strengthening the educational infrastructure.

He said that the headmaster or principal of the school will have to send regularly the information of teachers departing on leave to the Deputy Director's office. This will help in ensuring the presence of teachers in schools as well.

The Chief Minister while discussing the 'Guest Teacher Policy' said that it would help in maintaining continuity in teaching and learning process. In case the regular teacher of the educational institution goes on leave, the services of qualified teachers will be taken and this will also not disrupt the studies of the children.

Chief Minister said that in order to strengthen the higher education system, the process of rationalization is being adopted in colleges also. Along with the inclusion of new subjects in the colleges, their rationalization is also being done.

Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Secretary Education Rakesh Kanwar, Director Higher Education Amarjit Singh, Director Elementary Education Ashish Kohli, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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CM emphasizes diversification to strengthen horticulture sector

• Chairs review meeting of Horticulture Department

SHIMLA -16^th December, 2024Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired a review meeting to evaluate the progress of various schemes implemented by the Horticulture Department here today.

Stressing the importance of diversification in horticulture the Chief Minister said that there was a need to develop improved storage and marketing systems to ensure fair prices for farmers and horticulturists. He said that the government was planning to establish modern cold storage facilities at the district level which would provide much-needed support to horticulturists. Apart from this to bolster the economy of farmers while creating self-employment opportunities the government was working on setting up a potato processing unit in Una district.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the department to prioritize Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under Mandi Mediation to maximize benefits for farmers and horticulturists. He said that the state government was also contemplating to formulate Rs. 500-crore dedicated project for the rejuvenation of apple horticulture. This project would be implemented for five years and it will focus on promoting high-density plantations to enhance farmer's incomes and strengthen the rural economy.

The Chief Minister reviewed the achievements of various state horticulture schemes during the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25. Under the Horticulture Development Scheme, Rs. 12.84 crore was spent on power tillers and sprayers, benefitting 4,244 horticulturists. In the current financial year Rs. 9 crore has been utilized so far, benefiting 3,156 gardeners. Similarly, in the Anti-Hail Net Scheme, Rs. 14.45 crore was spent last year benefitting 1,767 people, while during this financial year Rs. 10.3 crore has been spent so far benefitting 1,223 people. Additionally, Rs. 11 crore was utilized under the Himachal Pushp Kranti Yojana in 2023-24, providing benefits to 750 people.

Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, Secretary Horticulture C. Palrasu, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Director Horticulture Vinay Kumar and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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CM releases government calendar for year 2025

SHIMLA-16^th December, 2024-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the government calendar for the year 2025 here today which has the pictures of various innovative schemes of the State Government. The calendar has been brought out by the state's Printing and Stationery Department.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Chief Minister's Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, Printing and Stationery Secretary Priyanka Basu Ingty, Controller, Printing and Stationery Department, Prabha Rajiv, Director, Information and Public Relations, Rajiv Kumar, Assistant Controller Printing and Stationery Department Ishwar Dass and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.