TEAM HERALD
PONDA: Stating that the money spent on the Cyberage scheme is an investment on students, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has expressed hope that students will gain the benefit and would contribute in shaping society.
He was speaking after distributing laptops to about 2,000 students from 13 higher secondary schools in Ponda taluka at a function in the GVM’s HSS, Farmagudi-Ponda.
Speaking further, Parsekar said for the first time the State government is spending Rs 20,000 on quality gadgets and providing laptops to students under the Cyberage scheme.
“It is not an expenditure, but investment on students. The scheme will bear fruits in the next five to seven years. I urge the students not to misuse the laptops and I have high hopes that the students gaining benefit can definitely contribute in shaping the society,” he added.
“Under the Cyberage scheme, the government is providing laptops and the students should make best use of it, as it is provided through tax payers money,” he said.
“This year, the government made a provision of Rs 1,116 crore in the budget in education field, which is enhanced by Rs 230 crore compared to last year. Under this scheme, about 18,000 students will get laptops worth about Rs 20,000, for which government has incurred expenditure of Rs 36 crore. About 2000 students of 13 higher secondary schools in Ponda taluka are beneficiaries of the scheme,” said Parsekar.
PWD Minister Dhavalikar appealed the students that they should not be self motivated, but contribute for the society.
Subhash Faldessai, chairman of Info Tech Corporation, appealed the students to concentrate on their studies and make best use of laptops and not to defame the scheme by visiting prohibited sites having age bars. Ponda MLA Mamledar also guided the students.
GVM’s working Committee president Rock D’Costa, Secretary Krishna Shetye, Director of Info Tech Nilesh Faldessai, Principal of various higher secondary schools including GVM’s Principal Anita Bandodkar were present on the occasion.
