A three-member British delegation today called on Punjab minister Daljit Singh Cheema here and discussed issues pertaining to education, environment and solar energy.
Delegation comprised First Secretary of British High Commissioner Francis Hooper, Deputy High Commissioner at Chandigarh David Lilliot and Low Carbon and Growth Adviser Jawaid Malla.
Education minister Daljit Cheema during meeting with the delegation discussed promotion of English language skills amongst the school children so that better placement could be ensured for them.
The visiting delegation also assured the minister that all the students would be given required special focused training mainly to improve their communication and written language skills.
A comprehensive project report would be prepared and discussed with the Punjab government, an official release said.
Briefing about the steps taken by the Punjab government in the fields of environment pollution, solar energy and education, Cheema said, the education department was in the constant process of generating awareness amongst students by introducing a chapter in the school curriculum.
He also apprised them that the state government was also paying due attention to ensure clean and green environs by observing Van Mahaotsav and the students are also being involved in these celebrations in a big way.
The visiting delegation also discussed in details the issues and challenges and remedies of environment pollution in the state of Punjab.
Amarpal Singh Chief Executive Officer of Punjab Energy Development Agency said the state government was determined to ensure clean and green solar revolution and has achieved tremendous success in the field.
He also said till date 210 MW solar energy was being produced in the state. The state government has also fixed a target of producing 400 MW and 1000 MW by March 2016 and March 2017 respectively.
The farming community was deriving maximum benefit out of the solar energy being produced in Punjab. He also said that solar panels were also being installed on all the government buildings.
The visiting British delegation was also told about the rising paddy straw burning, causing environmental hazards.
Cheema said that the Punjab government was taking adequate measures to check this with an iron hand. Similarly the state government has taken stringent measures to check pollution in the rivers.
Various other issues relating to installation of Bio Gas plants were also discussed at length.
