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 4th 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.