Educational entities appeal to state to release central share

JALANDHAR:Educational institutes from Punjab on Wednesday appealed to the state government to release central share to the tune of ₹309 crore of the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme to arrange for beds and other facilities for Covid-19 patients on their premises that are being used as quarantine centres.

Addressing a press conference in Jalandhar, members of the Confederation of Punjab Unaided Institutions said the state government had not released ₹1853 crore under the scheme for last three academic years even they had received the share from the Centre. “We have requested the chief secretary to release at least ₹309 crore to that the Centre released for this year. The state government has not issued funds for the 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20,” said confederation chairman Ashwani Sekhri.

He said neighbouring Haryana and Himachal Pradesh had paid the dues to their institution on time.