Union government to set up 100 Sainik Schools through PPP model: Amit Shah

The Union government will establish 100 Sainik Schools across India under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Thursday.

Addressing the inauguration of Shri Motibhai R Chaudhary Sagar Sainik School (MRCSSS) and the Sagar Organic Plant through video conference, Mr. Shah said the initiative would enable students from various districts of Gujarat and other parts of the country to pursue careers in the armed forces.

According to an official release, the MRCSSS has been constructed at a cost of ₹50 crore and includes facilities such as smart classrooms, hostels, a library, and a canteen. Shah said the school would emerge as a symbol of pride for Mehsana district.

He also highlighted the importance of the newly inaugurated Sagar Organic Plant in promoting organic farming. The plant, with a processing capacity of 30 metric tonnes per day, is certified under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

Mr. Shah said the certification would help farmers in north Gujarat gain access to international markets for their produce. He added that the plant’s expansion would improve citizens’ health and enhance the income of farmers engaged in organic farming.

Encouraging farmers to adopt and consume organic products, Mr. Shah noted that Dudhsagar Dairy’s milk collection had grown from 3,300 litres per day in 1960 to 35 lakh litres per day. The dairy now links 1,250 villages in Gujarat and over 10 lakh milk producers across several states, with an annual turnover of ₹8,000 crore.

He said Dudhsagar Dairy operates eight dairies, two milk chilling centres, two cattle feed plants, and a cement unit, contributing significantly to the White Revolution in Gujarat.

Mr. Shah also mentioned that 75,000 new primary dairy cooperative societies are being formed across the country to strengthen the dairy sector’s circular economy.

He said the Union government plans to ensure that 50 per cent of milk produced by cooperatives reaches national and international markets, benefiting cattle-rearers. He added that three multi-state cooperative societies have been set up to achieve this goal.

Highlighting women’s participation in the cooperative sector, Mr. Shah said nearly 70 per cent of Amul’s total turnover comes from women contributors.

Referring to the recent unseasonal rainfall in Gujarat, Mr. Shah said the state government, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, had announced a relief package for affected farmers and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting them.