Chandigarh, Jan. 9 -- The Punjab school education department has released over Rs.17.44 crore for renovation works in 852 government schools across the state. Disclosing this, Punjab education minister Harjot Bains said the initiative was aimed at improving school infra-structure and creating a conducive learning environment for students. He added that the funds hade been distributed across districts to ensure equitable coverage. According to the department, Amritsar has been allocated Rs.1.58 crore, Barnala Rs.44.64 lakh, Bathinda Rs.76.02 lakh, Faridkot Rs.50.31 lakh, Fatehgarh Sahib Rs.23.22 lakh, FazilkaRs.1.13 crore, Ferozepur Rs.40.41 lakh, Gurdaspur over Rs.1.18 crore, Hoshiarpur Rs.97.44 lakh, Jalandhar Rs.97.41 lakh, Kapurthala Rs.20.52 lakh, Ludhiana Rs.1.50 crore, Malerkotla Rs.15.75 lakh, Mansa Rs.61.11 lakh, Moga Rs.32.74 lakh, Muktsar Rs.46.47 lakh, Pathankot Rs.37.11 lakh, Patiala Rs.1.50 crore, Rupnagar Rs.78.14 lakh, SBS Nagar Rs.25.29 lakh, Sangrur Rs.2.45 crore, Mohali Rs.42.87 lakh and Tarn Taran Rs.59.49 lakh. Bains directed all district education officers (secondary) to transfer the funds directly to the bank accounts of the respective school managementcommittees to ensure transparency and local participation in carrying out the renovation works....