Una, October 15 - Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today (Tuesday) inaugurated the state level under 19 (boys category) competition at Government Senior Secondary School (boys) Una. A total of 730 students from all the districts of the state (except Lahaul Spiti) and 5 sports hostels - Naidun, Paprola, Rohru, Sundernagar and Una are participating in this competition. Football, hockey, basketball and handball competitions will be held in this four-day competition. On this occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister took the salute of the march past of the players. School students presented colourful cultural programmes in the programme.

9800 crores are being spent on education sector
In his address, the Deputy Chief Minister congratulated all the players and hoped that they will bring laurels to the state and the country with their achievements in the sports world in the coming times. He said that the Himachal government is striving for a comprehensive change in the field of education. Instead of increasing the number of schools in the state, the focus has been on quality and life-oriented education. For this purpose, the government has increased the education budget by Rs 1000 crore this time as compared to last year. This time around Rs 9800 crore is being spent on strengthening the education sector in the state.

Advice to BJP leaders
Shri Agnihotri, while advising the BJP leaders who are spreading rumors of the state being financially bankrupt, said that they should know that when the government has made such a big increase in the education sector alone, then it is a sign of the strong economic condition of the state. He clarified that on the closure of some schools in the state, the government has closed such schools in which there is zero admission of children. He said that new schools will be opened wherever needed. He reiterated the commitment to open a college in Basdehra of Una Vidhan Sabha constituency.

Rajiv Gandhi Day-boarding School will be opened in every assembly constituency
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the government is opening a Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School in every assembly constituency of the state. In the first phase, 18 day boarding schools have been approved in the state, out of which 8 are almost ready.

3 percent quota for sportspersons in government jobs
He expressed happiness that today the outlook of society towards sports has changed. Now children are progressing in sports along with education. This has strengthened a new sports culture. He said that the state government has made a provision of 3 percent quota in government jobs for medal winners in sports and players who have brought pride to the state and the country. Apart from this, the honorarium of players has also been increased. The government has given an honorarium of Rs 3 crore to Nishad Kumar of Amb, Una, who won a silver medal in the Paralympics.
During this, Assistant Director Physical Education Tilak Singh gave details regarding sports and expressed gratitude to the Deputy Chief Minister. Deputy Director Higher Education Una Rajendra Kaushal welcomed the chief guest.
On this occasion, former MLA of Una Assembly Constituency Satpal Raijada, State Congress Committee Secretary Ashok Thakur, Superintendent of Police Rakesh Singh, Principal Surendra Kaundal, Deputy Director Primary Education Som Pal Dhiman and other dignitaries were present.