AAP MLAs meet guv, raise school fee issue
CHANDIGARH: A delegation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs, led by Leader of Opposition in the Punjab assembly HS Phoolka, met Punjab governor VP Singh Badnore on Thursday at the Punjab Raj Bhawan here and raised issues of private schools charging hefty fees from students in violation of the court and government directions.
Addressing mediapersons after the meeting, Phoolka said that private schools in the state are charging heavy fees not only on the pretext of annual admission fee, but also readmission fees, books and uniforms.
He said in government schools, books and uniforms have not been provided to students, especially belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS), and this is clear violation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. He added that the governor was also apprised of the agrarian crisis in the state. He said the Congress, in its election manifesto, promised to provide relief to farmers by waiving farmers’ loans, but no relief in any form has been provided to farmers so far.
Speaking about financial scams by chit fund companies, Phoolka said these companies had purchased properties under fake companies and relatives. It is the duty of the police to investigate and find such properties and auction them to refund the money to investors. Phoolka said law and order situation in state was going from bad to worse.