SAD condemns Cong govt for trying to befool people by announcing opening of new colleges by taking building, staff, books and staff or older institutions

(Dr Daljit S Cheema says govt can’t force Govt colleges to part with Rs five lakh each for new institutions)

Chandigarh, May 12 – The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today condemned the Congress government for trying to befool the people by announcing the opening of new Colleges by taking funds, building, staff and even books from old institutions.

Asserting that the State government was indulging in this farcical act only to derive cheap publicity by laying foundation stones of the “new colleges” and even starting them by using the resources of the old Government colleges, former minister Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said the State should not play with the future of students by resorting to such means. “People trust governments to act in good faith. They don’t expect them to deceive them in this manner”.

Giving details, Dr Daljit Cheema said even though the government had decided to open new Colleges it neither kept any budget for them or allotted funds from the State treasury for the same. “Now when the assembly elections are near and the Congress party realizes it will be held accountable for the promises made to Punjabis, it has resorted to these cheap gimmicks”.

The SAD leader also objected to the government directive asking Government colleges to give Rs five lakh each from their PTA fund for the new institutions besides allocating excess furniture, books and staff to the new intuitions. He said if the government did not have funds for a building, furniture, books or to recruit staff it should not undertake such a project. “Moreover institutions cannot be run by collecting Rs five lakh from government colleges. Usage of PTA funds in this manner is also unlawful and against both government as well as University guidelines”.

Asserting that the government had been unable to establish new colleges as promised because it had misused funds at its disposal and failed to check loot of the State exchequer by the liquor, sand and mining mafia, Dr Cheema said it was due to this that the government found itself on a financial ventilator and was resorting to such gimmicks. Asking the Congress government not to play with the sentiments of students, the SAD leader said such ill advised moves would not only damage the old institutions but would kill the new ones even before they took off.