4000 classrooms to be upgraded to smart classrooms by next year: OP Soni,

4000 classrooms to be upgraded to smart classrooms by next year: OP Soni, Education is a priority sector for the State Government, says OP Soni

National Tele24 News

Chandigarh

    Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on the occasion of its 4^th Punjab State Council Meeting, organized an interaction with Shri O P Soni, Hon’ble Minister for School Education, Environment & Freedom Fighters, Government of Punjab at Amritsar, today.

 While delivering his address, Shri O P Soni, said, “The commitment of the present state government to the industry can be gauged from the fact that the new industrial policy of the state has been drafted after consultations from the industry especially with CII.”

Mr Soni also shared the key initiatives being undertaken by his department, including granting of environment related NOCs to the industry within stipulated time of 15 days. Sharing the initiatives being undertaken to improve school education in the state, Mr O P Soni remarked that education is a priority sector for the State Government. Funds to the tune of Rs 1000 crore on annual outlay have been allocated by the government to upgrade 4000 classrooms to smart classrooms in Government schools by next year.Soliciting industry support and participation in Government initiatives, the minister requested CII to nominate relevant CII members in each of the boards on environment & school education.

     Welcoming the Minister, Mr Sarvjit Singh Samra, Chairman, CII Punjab State Council & Managing Director, Capital Small Finance Bank shared the key initiatives taken by CII in upgrading the schools as also combatting pollution by organizing tree plantation drives and handholding the Industry to manage their emissions & discharge through our Centres of Excellence.

Mr Viren Popli, Vice Chairman, CII Punjab State Council & COO, Mahindra & Mahindra (Swaraj Division) highlighted the key issues faced by industry such as the Investment based Fees levied by PPCB which is a challenge. He added that Industries should be encouraged in putting up STP plants, by giving them special incentives, such as relief in property tax.“To control the rising pollution in the city, steps should be taken to encourage Hybrid cars, e-vehicles etc. Government should incentivize it by exempting road taxes and registration charges, on e-vehicles,” he added. In his concluding remarks, Mr Ajay Khanna said that Education & Environment are two critical sectors which determine the progress that a society aspires. For Punjab to develop into a sustainable & holistic state, it is imperative that adequate stress is given on improving the quality of both Education & Environment.