Enrolment in HP's govt primary schools dropped by 50 pc from 2003-04 to 2023-24 Minister

Shimla, Mar 22 (PTI) The enrolment in government primary schools in Himachal Pradesh dropped by 50 per cent over the past 20 years, from 2003-04 to 2023-24, Education Minister Rohit Thakur informed the state assembly during the question hour on Saturday.
     In response to questions from BJP’s Pawan Kajal and Randhir Sharma, Congress’ Rakesh Kalia said that enrollment in 12,404 schools was 9.71 lakh in 2003-04, which dropped to 4,29,070 in 2023-24, despite a reduction in the number of schools.
     However, the teacher-student ratio improved from 1:22 to 1:11, which is the highest in the country, with the ratio in tribal areas being 1:3. He also mentioned that 3,450 teachers have been recruited in batches over the past two years and assured that maximum appointments would be made in schools where posts are vacant.
     In response to a question from BJP’s Deep Raj regarding the establishment of a fruit processing plant, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi informed the House that there are eight fruit processing units in the state.
     A total of 60 training camps have been organised for fruit growers, he said.
     A Rs 120 crore processing unit has been set up in Parala Mandi, Shimla district and 1,800 metric tonnes of fruits were processed in these units. The marketing of processed fruits has been entrusted to HPMC and APMC, and the government has allocated Rs 400 crore to APMC for setting up marketing yards, Negi added.
     Deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri informed the House that glaciers are shrinking in the state, and the area under glaciers has reduced by 2.4 per cent.
     In response to a question from Congress' Anuradha Rana, he stated that the area under glaciers has decreased by 3.2 percent in the Bhaga basin, 2.4 percent in the Spiti and Chandra basins, and has shrunk to 376 square kilometers in Myar, which is a matter of grave concern.
     The government has prepared a Rs 1,300 crore Detailed Project Report (DPR) to raise 145 snow sputas and 1,100 snow racks and points. He added that the matter would be raised with the central government, and funds would be sought for snow harvesting measures.
     Anuradha Rana, who represents the tribal Lahaul and Spiti district, mentioned that her area is very dry with scanty rains and receding snowfall. She stressed the need for snow harvesting measures similar to those in Ladakh.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)