AAP demands action against Dharmsot

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 12

Alleging a scam in the SC Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a protest at Bhandari Bridge on Saturday. The AAP’s activists burnt an effigy of Social Welfare Minister Sadhu Singh Dharmsot and raised slogans against the state government.

Dr Inderpal, district chief, AAP, said stern action should be taken against the ministers and officials involved in the scam. The AAP also launched a helpline number 78272-73487 for the Dalit students.

Dr Inderpal said, “The government is trying to portray that it has improved education infrastructure in the state, but more than 2 lakh SC and ST students will not be able to appear for exams due to non-payment of fee.” The AAP demanded a white paper on the SC Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme.

Parminder Singh Sethi and Harwant Singh of the AAP said, “Though the government has announced to release the final instalment of the SC Post-Matric Scholarship for the academic year 2020-21, but future of students in remaining three sessions is yet to be decided.” Seema Sodhi, another AAP leader said the Joint Association of Colleges has made it clear that they would not release the roll numbers of students. Protesters demanded that criminal cases should be registered against Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Dharmsot and officials concerned who destroyed future of the students.

Protests held in Tarn Taran

The Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) activists protested against the alleged SC Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme issue on Saturday.

Protesters burnt an effigy of Cabinet minister Sadhu Singh Dharmsot and Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, among others.

Gurwinder Singh Beharwal, district chief, AAP, said the state government has failed on all the fronts.

Baljit Singh Khehra, joint secretary, AAP, said the SC post-matric scholarship issue has affected future of two lakh Dalit students as they would not be allowed to appear for exams due to non-payment of their fee.

They said the AAP has launched a helpline number 78272-73487 for affected the students. The AAP demanded a white paper on the SC Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme.

Activists led by Gurdev Singh Lakhna, Ranjit Singh Cheema, Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal, Laljit Singh Bhullar, Gursewak Singh Aulakh and Manjinder Singh Sidhu were also present.