Chandigarh, February 21- Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal said that the next five years of the State Government will be focused on education, health, security and self-reliance.

The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at the annual festival held at Vivekananda Senior Secondary School in Karnal city.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the State Government has enhanced the level of education by introducing monthly tests and Saksham classes under the Learning Enhancement Program. The annual results of the schools have improved by 10 percent in the last five years and efforts will continue in the future as well.

The Chief Minister said that schools, colleges, and universities have been built in the State. More attention is being paid to the education of girls under Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao program. Special transport facilities have been provided for the school going girls traveling a distance of more than 2 kilometer.

He said that understanding the fact that as today’s era is the era of Information Technology along with Science, concrete steps are being taken in this direction and some provisions will also be inculcated in the new budget. He said that this year’s budget will be a balanced one. For this, suggestions and advice have been taken from the public representatives of the State for the first time so that the expenses and income can be increased for the implementation of the developmental works all across the state for all sections of society.

He said that the year 2020 will be celebrated as Sushashan Sankalp Varsh and more focus will be laid on the upliftment of the unprivileged section of the society and under this, any person earning less than Rs 1.80 lakh income are getting benefits provided under various Government schemes.

The Chief Minister announced to give Rs 21 lakh from his discretionary fund and Rs 11 lakh from MP fund for arranging computer lab and solar system in the school. He also distributed prizes to the meritorious students who excelled in school sports and studies.

In the program, the school children presented cultural programs. Several dignitaries including Political Secretary to the Chief Minister and former Minister Mr. Krishna Kumar Bedi were present on the occasion.