Chandigarh: The Punjab Government has decided to establish six state of Art Residential Schools at Mohali, Bathinda, Patiala, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar for poor and meritorious students who secure 80% and above marks in the matriculation from Government schools. The cost of construction of these schools will be Rs.180 crore.

Disclosing this Education and Language Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka said that this scheme has been started with an object to impart quality education for the post matric students to the economically and socially disadvantageous brilliant and meritorious students. Minister further said that state government would establish smart class-rooms, engaged best teachers, provide sports facilities, vocational training and dedicated teachers for preparing the meritorious poor students for competitions in various fields and to ensure their overall development and preparedness for higher competitive studies.

Mr. Maluka also said that the Chief Minister Punjab S. Parkash Singh Badal has also laid the foundation stone for the residential senior secondary school at Bathinda. Minister also said that 6.96 acres of land free of cost land has been provided to Mohali, 10 acre to Patiala,11 acre to Ludhiana,10 acre to Amritsar,10 acre to Bathinda and 10 acre to Jalandhar for the setting up of the Residential Senior Secondary Schools in Punjab. He also said that Government has already initiated the process of construction of the buildings for the proposed schools. Minister also said that Dr. Hargobind Khurana Scholarship Scheme had also been launched during the current financial year 2013-14 to provide financial assistance of RS.30,000/- per annum (Rs.25000/- per month) to 3304 brilliant and meritorious students, who secured 80% and above marks in the matriculation examination.