Arki, June 5:
Arki MLA Sanjay Awasthi on Friday said that ensuring quality education for every student is the responsibility and priority of the state government, as he addressed the foundation day celebrations of Government Senior Secondary School, Basantpur.
Before the event, Awasthi laid the foundation stone of a library and auditorium building to be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹5.40 lakh.
Addressing the gathering, the MLA said education forms the foundation of a progressive society and plays a crucial role in ensuring inclusive development. He said the state government has taken several important decisions to improve the quality of education and that positive results of these initiatives are now becoming visible.
Referring to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s vision for the education sector, Awasthi said an educated society is essential for sustainable growth and social progress. He highlighted the Dr Y.S. Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana, under which meritorious students from economically weaker sections can avail education loans of up to ₹20 lakh at an interest rate of one per cent for higher studies.
The MLA also appealed to young people to stay away from drugs and encourage their peers to do the same. He said the state government is actively working at multiple levels to curb substance abuse and protect youth from the menace.
Congratulating newly elected local body representatives, Awasthi urged them to work in coordination and focus on development-oriented initiatives for the welfare of their respective areas.
On the occasion of World Environment Day, he called upon citizens to actively contribute towards environmental conservation. He stressed that environmental protection should not remain limited to annual celebrations but must become a continuous collective effort.
Awasthi announced ₹1 lakh each for the Harthu sports ground, a road from Het Ram’s house to the cremation ground in Bairti, and construction of a bathing facility at Thangar. He also announced grants of ₹11,000 each for Mahila Mandals of Basantpur, Kahdog, Purayana and Harthu, as well as for a local Yuvak Mandal.
He further announced ₹2,100 for students who presented cultural performances and ₹21,000 for the event organising committee.
The MLA assured support for the construction of the Rug-Madham road, metalling and tarring of the Jol Khad-Harthu Basantpur road, and said work on the Bhelnala-Harthu irrigation scheme would begin soon.
Students presented colourful cultural programmes during the event, while a special awareness performance on environmental conservation emerged as a major attraction. A fair and traditional wrestling competition were also organised as part of the celebrations.
School Principal Ram Ratan Banga welcomed the chief guest and presented the annual report. Several elected representatives, government officials and local residents attended the programme.
