Himachal CM Allocates ₹2 Crore for Horticulture College Boys Hostel

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a ₹2 crore allocation for the boys hostel at Horticulture and Forestry College, Neri. He emphasized the sector's role in rural economy and future plans, including green energy, education, and healthcare enhancements.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday unveiled a ₹2 crore fund for the boys hostel at Horticulture and Forestry College, Neri. Sukhu underscored the vital role horticulture plays in bolstering the rural economy.

Addressing students at the college in Hamirpur district, Sukhu highlighted the potential of horticulture and agriculture sectors to significantly boost farmers' incomes. The CM shared plans to introduce new courses, such as bioinformatics, to prepare students for future technological challenges, according to an official release.

Further emphasizing the state's green energy initiatives, Sukhu reiterated the goal of making Himachal Pradesh a green energy state by 2026. Plans include providing e-vehicles across government departments and installing a one-megawatt green hydrogen plant in Nalagarh in collaboration with Oil India Company. A 32-megawatt solar project in Una's Pekhubela was also recently completed within four months.

Sukhu also discussed developments in education and healthcare, announcing the establishment of Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools and the merger of schools with fewer than five students. He further detailed the government's initiatives to develop 850 educational institutions into Institutes of Excellence to ensure quality education.

The Chief Minister touched upon measures to uplift dairy farmers and stressed the need for fiscal prudence to recover from the previous administration's debt. Additional highlights included benefits under the OPS for 1.36 lakh employees and recruitment efforts for healthcare staff in key medical institutions. During the event, Sukhu released two university books on advanced horticultural techniques.

Present at the occasion were MLAs Suresh Kumar and Captain Ranjit Rana, and other notable dignitaries. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)