Himachal to set up first-of-its-kind ‘Centre of Excellence for Divyang Education’ in Solan
45 bighas of land identified in Kandaghat for centre that will house 300 students
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said the state government would establish the first-of-its-kind ‘Centre of Excellence for Education of Divyangjans’ in Kandaghat sub-division of Solan district.
The centre would offer quality education and comprehensive facilities, including playgrounds and residential accommodations, for specially abled students upto 27 years of age. The Chief Minister assured that the state government would ensure timely completion of the facility.
“The state government is steadfastly committed to completing the project within two years, with adequate funding provisions. A 45-bigha plot of government land has been identified in Tikkari village of Kandaghat and ownership of the land has been given to the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment to set up the project,” said the Chief Minister.
“The Public Works Department (PWD) has been instructed to conduct contour mapping, prepare a detailed project report (DPR) and initiate the tender process once the DPR is ready,” he said.
Sukhu said that the proposed facility would cater to 300 Divyang students and provide all essential facilities to them. “The PWD has done its preparatory work in setting up this project and Social Justice and Empowerment has studied various national institute models and identified courses for visually and hearing-impaired students,” remarked the CM.
“A committee comprising experts in visual and hearing impairment, along with representatives from Composite Regional Centre, Sundernagar, has been formed to finalise the modalities for the centre.
To further refine the project, a visit to the Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities in Chennai is planned. This visit aims to study the institute’s model and incorporate best practices into the Kandaghat centre,” the Chief Minister said.
Sukhu said that over the past one and a half years, the state government has worked tirelessly to support the marginalised sections of the society and has advocated for their rights. Numerous initiatives had been introduced for their welfare and to integrate them back into the mainstream of society, he said.
