Himachal: Encourage minority students to avail scholarships

Himachal Pradesh: Additional District Magistrate (ADM) LR Verma chaired a district-level review meeting on the Prime Minister’s new 15-point programme for minorities, emphasising on inclusive growth and welfare initiatives for minority communities of Sirmaur district. With a total population of 5,29,855, minorities number 53,025, which is about 10.01 per cent of the district’s population. The District Rural Development Agency reported progress on infrastructure projects for special schools designed for children of the Gujjar community at Katapathar and Chhalluwala. Each centre, estimated to cost Rs 9.7 lakh, has received approval from the Assistant Engineer, Rural Development, and construction will begin as soon as land is allotted. To promote Urdu education, the Education and Welfare Department committed to visit schools at Kala Amb, Paonta Sahib and Puruwala to meet teacher recruitment and deployment needs for both primary and high schools. The primary education department revealed low participation rate in minority scholarships, with only eight out of 80 eligible students applying. ADM Verma directed the department to identify and encourage as many minority students as possible to participate in the scholarship programme. Non-official member Sanjay Singh raised concerns about the maintenance of the Christian cemetery. In response, the executive officer of the Nagar Parishad confirmed that an inspection has been done and repair estimates are ready to be submitted for approval in the upcoming district-level meeting. In a separate meeting of the district disability committee, ADM Verma addressed accessibility challenges faced by persons with disabilities in public transport. He directed the regional transport officer to consult higher authorities about the feasibility of installing ramps or alternative arrangements for buses with high stairs. The local level committee, headed by district welfare officer Vivek Arora, approved two proposals for legal guardianship under its jurisdiction. Jengo Gelo and Sudama, both identified as specially abled persons, will now be under the guardianship of the president of Aastha Welfare Society, Nahan.