2.66 lakh more Punjab students to get free uniform

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 16

To boost enrolment, reduce dropout rate and attract students to government schools, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi today decided to provide free uniform to nearly 2.66 lakh left-out boys of the general category studying in classes I-VIII. The government will spend around Rs 15.98 crore in the current financial year.

At present, the School Education Department is already providing free uniform costing up to Rs 600 per student to all girls, SC boys and BPL boys studying in classes I-VIII at government schools, government-run schools and Adarsh schools being run by the Punjab School Education Board.

The number of such students is 15.03 lakh for which Rs 90.16 crore are being spent in the current fiscal. It may be recalled that boys belonging to general category are not provided uniform by the department as such students are not covered under the RTE entitlement.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet also accorded approval for setting up of Sant Kabir Sahib, Bhai Jeevan Singh/Bhai Jaita and Makhan Shah Lubana Chairs in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and Guru Ravidas and Bhagwan Valmiki Chairs in Punjabi University, Patiala. Apart from these, another chair would also be set up soon in the name of Bhagwan Parshuram.

To obtain ex-post facto approval/approval for new work from the Cabinet regarding revision of guidelines for utilisation of funds under Punjab Nirman Programme, the Council of Ministers gave its nod to amend the guidelines to incorporate additional permissible works and to ensure speedy implementation and execution of development works at the district level.

To finalise the draft of the legislation to provide reservation to local candidates in government and private jobs, a Cabinet subcommittee under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Manpreet Badal has been constituted to bring it in the next Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet hikes aid for cane farmers

To ensure economic viability of private sugar mills and timely cane payment of State Agreed Price to the farmers for the crushing season 2021-22, the Cabinet approved the financial assistance at the rate of Rs35 per quintal. The amount will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of farmers.