Chandigarh, Jan 17 (Reporter) The Punjab government on Wednesday approved the action plan of Samagra Sikhya Abhiyan Authority for the next two academic sessions for strengthening the infrastructure and taking new initiatives to provide the students with quality education in state-run schools. The action plan was approved at a meeting of the authority's executive committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Anurag Verma. The action plan approved in principle for two years includes strengthening of the infrastructure of government schools, boosting commerce and science education, environmental initiatives, free uniforms and books. Verma said education is the top priority of the state government. On the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, revolutionary reforms are being carried out in government schools. He said that in the next two academic sessions, commerce course is being started in 35 schools and science in 10 schools, the list of which will be finalised by the Chief Minister. Similarly, 1096 new classrooms at a cost of Rs 92.70 Crore and the renovation of 360 classrooms at Rs 14.85 Crore have been proposed for the next two years. He informed that 2623 toilets for girls will be repaired at a cost of Rs18.35 crore. Altogether 215 toilets will be constructed for girls at a cost of Rs 2.72 crore. Also, 876 toilets will be constructed for children with special needs at a cost of Rs 17.52 crore. The action plan has proposed installation of 2190 solar panels at a cost of Rs 29.58 crore. Verma said in the next two years, Rs 182.06 crore has been proposed to be spent on giving free uniforms to 30 lakh students and Rs 44.86 crore to give free books to 14 lakh students. Similarly, the action plan proposes to spent Rs 32.91 crore for Libraries and Rs 20.90 crore for Sports and Physical Education, Rs 18.66 Crore for Rani Lakshmi Bai self-defence and Rs 1.47 crore for the education of adolescent girls. Similarly, all 19,120 government schools will be provided internet facility in a phased manner to boost digital education and strengthen the Eduset system. In this regard, the MoU has been signed with BSNL. He said that 6300 Government schools will be provided with internet in the first phase. Apart from this, the action plan also approved boys' toilets, rainwater harvesting, science lab, art craft room, library room, transport, in service teacher training and ICT. UNI GS SSP On the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the action plan of SAMAGRA Sikhya Abhiyan Authority was approved for the next two academic sessions...////...