SWABI: The district government has decided in principle to increase the number of laptops from 30 to 60 for the top position-holders from next year to encourage the talented students of government schools and colleges.

This was stated by district nazim Ameer Rehman while addressing a function organised in honour of 30 students who excelled in the secondary school certificate (SSC) and FA/FSc examinations in the current year.

The function, held at government high school Karnal Sher Kallay, was also attended by officials of the education department, councillors and parents of the students.

The laptops are given under a programme started by ANP

The laptops were awarded to the students under the Awami National Party’s launched programme ‘Da Swabi Guloona’ for those excelling in SSC exams and ‘Stori da Swabi’ for position-holders of FA/FSc.

Ameer Rehman, who was chief guest on the occasion, handed over laptops to the 30 students, 15 each from SSC and HSSC category, and praised them for their hard work. He announced that they had decided that from 2017 the first 30 position-holders in both the categories would be given laptops and cash awards.

Vegetable prices up

The prices of vegetables and fruits have registered a sharp increase ahead of Eidul Azha in the district.

A visit to the market and chat with both consumers and traders here on Sunday revealed that the prices of all vegetables and fruits had increased significantly, negating the KP government claim of controlling prices.

Due to fear that the markets would remain shut during Eid holidays, people have thronged the markets to buy vegetables and fruits. The vegetable traders have been violating the price list issued by the TMA without any fear or official check.

The per kilogrmme price of tomatoes has recorded an average increase of Rs20, potato Rs5, onion Rs6, garlic Rs10 and brinjal Rs5. The average price of cucumber increased by Rs6 per kg, bitter gourd Rs8, spinach Rs5 and lemon Rs10. The per kilogramme price of ladyfinger also registered Rs10 rise from Rs40 per kg to Rs50 per kg.

The retailers have also jacked up fruit prices by Rs10 on average. The price of watermelon was fixed at Rs10 to 14 per kg, but is being sold at Rs20 per kg.

Meanwhile, the district administration has asked people in the district to slaughter their animals at places designated by the tehsil municipal administrations from where the TMA staff would pick up the animal wastes to keep the environment clean.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2016