Provide funds for Panchayat Samitis, Zila Parishad: HP CM to Centre

Shimla, Sep 9 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today urged the Union government to amend the recommendations of 14th Finance Commission to pave way for devolution of funds to Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis.

"The Commission has clearly directed that the funds would be provided to the gram panchayats only, though requests have been made by the state government to provide funds for Panchayats Samiti and Zila Parishad as well," said Singh at a public meeting in Bhaloh here.

He also reitereated his government's commitment towards upgrading the quality of education in the state.

"The state government has opened or upgraded over 1010 schools in the state during past three and half years besides opening 24 ITI's, two engineering colleges and 41 colleges, mostly in rural and remote areas," he said.

"The 'Mukhya Mantri Adarsh Vidyalaya Yojna' has been launched to provide state-of-the-art infrastructural and teaching facilities in two senior secondary schools in each constituency while 36 schools have been either upgraded or opened in Shimla," he added.

PTI