Thursday, March 28, 2024

Need at least Class 10 to be minister in Punjab Congress regime

Date:

Chandigarh, April 24: Captain Amarinder Singh’s Punjab government seems to have decided to start practising what it preaches, viz the ‘Padho Punjab, Padhao Punjab’ campaign.

 

Nine new ministers who were inducted on Saturday have studied at least up to Class 10 and in Dalit-dominated Doaba, there is anger that Sangat Singh Gilzian lost out on a cabinet berth purely on account of his educational qualifications, or lack thereof, if Congress leaders familiar with the logic of the cabinet expansion are to be believed. Gilzian, who has won the Urmur seat three times, hails from the Lubana community, classified under backward classes (BC), which holds considerable political clout. “Gilzian was in the race. But Congress president Rahul Gandhi did not want to accommodate those who are not even matriculates. So Gilzian, who has studied till Class 8, was dropped,” disclosed a senior leader who was involved in the choice of the inductees.

The selection was made by a panel comprising the chief minister, state Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, state affairs in-charge Asha Kumari and co-incharge Harish Chaudhary.

Gilzian, HT learns, is not amused that two-time MLA, Sham Sunder Arora, a realtor, also from Doaba, made it to the cabinet to become the state’s new industry and commerce minister. Gilzian’s phone remained switched off on Monday, but a leader close to him said he is unhappy over Arora’s selection.

State Congress president Sunil Jakhar said, “The portfolios have been given entirely on the basis of capabilities of the ministers, and educational qualification was also considered.”

Of the nine ministers, four have completed either Class 10 or Class 12. Five are graduates.

Sports minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi dropped out after Class 12, and animal husbandry and labour minister Balbir Sidhu dropped out of college.

A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms says that 38% of MLAs in the present assembly have declared their educational qualification to be between Class 5 and 12, while 60% are graduate or above.

The other new ministers, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Bharat Bhushan Ashu and Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, are graduates.

Source: www.hindustantimes.com

Discussions

Discussions

Punjabi Khurki
Punjabi Khurki
Punjab is no longer just a state but a State of Mind: A way to live!! ...So Let's Burrraaah with Punjabi Khurki!

Share post:

Subscribe

Advertisementspot_img
Advertisementspot_img

Popular

More like this
Related

ED chief Sanjay Mishra gets tenure extension from SC till September 15

New Delhi, July 27: The Supreme Court on Thursday...

Patiala tops list of villages hit by recent floods; 27,286 evacuations carried out

Chandigarh, July 27: The State Government machinery has been...

Mann slams Modi govt, seeks President’s Rule in Manipur

New Delhi/ Chandigarh, July 27: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant...

All pet shops, dog breeders in Punjab be registered with Animal Welfare Board

Chandigarh, July 27: In a bid to ensure the...