Nagrota Bagwan (Himachal Pradesh), Feb 15 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Sunday said education was an essential requisite for the growth and development of the society.

"For the last two-and-half months, I am visiting every nook and corner of the state and particularly Kangra, Una, Kullu and Chamba regions to personally see the pace of development," Virbhadra Singh said while addressing a public meeting here in Kangra district. Earlier, he laid the foundation stones for and inaugurated various projects to the tune of Rs.25 crore in Kangra district.

He said: "Education is the foremost need for growth and development of an individual and any society. The present state government has opened 17 colleges -- and that too in rural areas -- besides many schools."

"Our motto is to educate the girl child," the chief minister said.

He said that at present all the district headquarters have regional hospitals and many educational institutions.

Himachal Pradesh Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes said the government was pursuing the Centre for funds and the state's share under MNREGA.

Himachal Pradesh Transport Minister G.S. Bali thanked the chief minister for laying the foundation stones of and inaugurating development projects worth Rs.25 crore in his assembly segment particularly in the Changar area.

He said Himachal Pradesh was a special category state but the flow of adequate financial assistance from the central government was not sufficient.