PHAGWARA: Congress MLA, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, has levelled serious allegations against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government, accusing it of misusing central education grants under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for political propaganda through its “Sikhya Kranti” campaign.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, Khaira claimed that funds meant for school infrastructure and educational improvement are being repurposed for publicity exercises featuring Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, and local AAP MLAs. “Inauguration plaques are being installed even for minor repair works like toilet renovations, all prominently displaying the names and images of AAP leaders. This is a clear attempt to politicize a central government scheme meant for the welfare of students, ” he said.
Khaira also alleged that school teachers are being pressured to promote the campaign on social media. “There are credible reports that teachers have been directed to use graphics featuring the Chief Minister’s image as their WhatsApp display pictures and promote hashtags like #PunjabSikhyaKranti. This coercion is disrupting the academic atmosphere and turning educators into political foot soldiers, ” he stated.