The effigy of Punjab Government being burnt besides shouting slogans, in a small village Megha Rai Hittar near Ferozepur by the members of All India Students Federation (AISF) and Sarv Bharat Naujawan Sabha (SBNS).
Ferozepur, April 15, 2013: The complete reversing of the Punjab Government on its earlier fee concession orders to girl students of June 2010, July 2011 and August 2012, , while announcing implementation of revised fee structure in separate categories of annual and monthly funds from April 1, 2013, onwards clearly speaks that the fee waiver exercises of the Punjab Government were only a populist measure to keep intact the vote banks as now for five years, there is no immediate need to collect or accumulate votes; people will have no say for these years but to pay.
No doubt, the managements of schools have welcomed the decision of the government as this will meet the expenses of the schools which were always facing the cash crunch but at the same time, withdrawing the facility once extended debar the poor students to continue their students.
To register their protest, today, the effigy of Punjab Government was burned besides shouting slogans, in a small village Megha Rai Hittar near Ferozepur by the members of All India Students Federation (AISF) and Sarv Bharat Naujawan Sabha (SBNS), for dropping the facility of free education to girl students from IX to XII.
It may be mentioned that the students of Classes IX and X will now be required to pay monthly fees of Rs 15 for the PTA (Parent Teacher Association), Rs 10 for sports and Rs 5 for cultural activities, besides annual fees of Rs 240 at the time of admission. The students of Classes XI and XII will be required to pay Rs 20 for the PTA, Rs 12 for sports and Rs 8 for cultural activities, besides annual fees of Rs 300.
Besides, the students of Classes IX and X will be required to pay Rs 30 per month as annual charges, while those of Classes XI and XII will have to pay Rs 40 per month as annual charges. There are also instructions that the students will be required to pay, separately, for their laboratory work and also for using computers.
The protest was organised under the leadership of Surjit Megha, District Head of AISF and President Megha of SBNS.
On this occasion, NAREGA leader Raj Kumar Bahadur Ke, Raju Shillian, Gagan Bhulla, Kewal Shanga, Usha Rani, Jagdish Bahadur Ke,Veena Shanga Rai, Manjit Megha Rai and in good number of leaders were present.
Addressing the protestors, they said, the Punjab Government has tried to keep at a distance the basic right of education by withdrawing the free education to girl students and by collecting the heavy amount of fees. With this decision, the Punjab Government itself has given the proof of anti-daughter government which will not be tolerated at any cost.
They also said, the anti-education policy of the government has widened the gap between the rich and poor students to snatch the basic right of education of poor students.
Giving a warning, they said, in case the anti-education decisions are not withdrawn, the AISF and SBNS will intensify its agitation.