Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that providing quality technical education within Himachal Pradesh remains a top priority of the state government to equip youth with industry-relevant skills and enhance their employability.
While reviewing the functioning of the Technical Education Department here today, the Chief Minister expressed concern over several vacant buildings, revealing that seven buildings constructed at a cost of Rs. 126.45 crore between 2018 and 2023 are currently lying unused. He directed the department to prepare an action plan for their optimum utilization in the public interest, stating that “wastage of public funds merely on construction is unacceptable.”
The Chief Minister instructed officials to grade Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and Polytechnic Colleges based on student enrolment, performance, and available facilities, adding that the government is fully committed to strengthening the Technical Education infrastructure across the state.
He further announced that the government would fill vacant posts in technical institutions and provide all necessary assistance to ensure smooth academic functioning. Emphasizing the need for modern, skill-oriented courses, he said that new-age programs would be introduced to prepare youth for emerging employment sectors.
Expressing satisfaction over the start of the M.Tech (EV-Tech) program at Hydro Engineering College, Bandla (Bilaspur) with an intake of 30 students, the Chief Minister said such initiatives reflect the state’s focus on technological advancement and innovation.
He added that the government is actively promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and a State Innovation and Start-Up Policy–2025 is being formulated to support young entrepreneurs. Plans are also underway to establish a Digital University of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Skill and Vocational Studies at Ghumarwin (Bilaspur), for which 258 bighas of land have been identified.
