Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday laid the foundation stone of a Divyangjan Education Centre of Excellence at Kandaghat in Solan district, marking a major step towards inclusive and equitable development. The Chief Minister reiterated the state government’s commitment to the welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Addressing the gathering, CM Sukhu said the foundation stone was laid after nearly 25 percent of the construction work had already been completed, reflecting the government’s resolve to ensure timely execution of projects. The centre will be established on 45 bighas of land at a total cost of ₹200 crore. He directed the authorities to complete the first phase of the project by October this year.
The Centre of Excellence will provide quality education, residential facilities and playgrounds for 300 children with disabilities. The Chief Minister also directed the installation of a 500-kilowatt solar power project at the campus to promote clean and sustainable energy.
CM Sukhu said the institute would offer courses in higher education, special education and skill development, along with research and development activities based on the nature and severity of disabilities. He described the project as the first-of-its-kind institution in Himachal Pradesh, which would emerge as a model for the entire country.
He further informed that a working women’s hostel would also be constructed under the project at a cost of ₹15.33 crore. Highlighting various welfare measures, the Chief Minister said students with over 40 percent disability are being provided monthly scholarships ranging from ₹625 to ₹3,750, while social security pensions between ₹1,150 and ₹1,700 are being given to persons with disabilities.
The Chief Minister added that marriage assistance of ₹25,000 is provided to persons with 40 to 74 percent disability, while those with 75 percent or more disability receive ₹50,000. He also cited the establishment of the state’s first residential special school for intellectually challenged children at Heeranagar in Shimla, offering free education, vocational training and hostel facilities to children aged 6 to 18 years.
Reaffirming the government’s sensitivity towards the differently-abled, CM Sukhu said facilities such as ramps and railings at bus stations and buses, along with wheelchairs in government hospitals, have been ensured. He emphasized that the government would continue to work with dedication to enable persons with disabilities to become self-reliant and integrate into the mainstream.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also announced ₹50 crore for specialist services and a trauma centre at Solan Hospital, ₹5 crore for Civil Hospital Kandaghat, and ₹1 crore for the development of a playground in Kandaghat. He also released the Jogindra Bank calendar for the year 2026.
Health Minister Dr (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked him for dedicating major development projects to the Solan Assembly constituency. He highlighted the rapid pace of development works and welfare initiatives for weaker sections of society.
MLAs Sanjay Awasthi, Vinod Sultanpuri and Vivek Sharma, HPSIDC Vice Chairman Anurag Sharma, Solan Municipal Corporation Mayor Usha Sharma, Jogindra Bank Chairman Mukesh Sharma, Baghat Bank Chairman Arun Sharma, APMC Solan Chairman Roshan Thakur, ESOMSA Director Sumit Khimta, and other senior officials were present at the event.
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