Karan SharmaLudhiana: Govt schools in Ludhiana have begun distributing official school bags featuring CM Bhagwant Mann’s picture to Class 11 and Class 12 students under the state’s ‘Punjab Sikhya Kranti’ initiative.The yellow and blue bags, which also carry the state govt logo, are being distributed following recent orders from the Punjab education department. Out of an estimated requirement of 42,000 bags for Ludhiana district, approximately 23,000 bags were dispatched on Tuesday to blocks including Samrala, Khanna, and Machhiwara. Another 19,000 bags are still awaited.Distribution delayed despite early deliveryThough the stock arrived two months ago in May, distribution only commenced after recent official clearances. While blocks in Ludhiana’s West constituency have received their quota, school authorities there have not yet been instructed to hand them out to students.Confirming the rollout, deputy district education officer (Secondary) Amandeep Singh said, “The process of distribution of the bags has been started and it will be under the supervision of the block primary education officers (BPEOs).” He added, “I am not aware about the other details including any photos, colours or something else.”Political, union backlash over brandingThe initiative has sparked sharp criticism from teachers’ unions and opposition parties, who accuse the ruling government of using public funds for self-promotion.Rupinderpal Singh Gill, leader of the Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), condemned the move: “There are several other factors where the government should be concerned about rather than focusing on their own advertisements through different ways. There should be better learning opportunities. The union strongly condemns the practice of promoting one individual or highlighting the colours associated with flags of a particular party.”Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former minister Maheshinder Singh Grewal called it a waste of public funds. “This is a sheer waste of money by printing pictures of CM on the bags. Moreover the Class 11 and 12 students personally do not like to carry such govt promotional bags as they are in the 17-18 age group. When this party was in opposition, they claimed that such activities should be prohibited but now, through the government schemes, the party is promoting its own leaders. This initiative is not for the betterment of students but for party advertisement according to me,” Grewal said.BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliwal also targeted the state govt, stating, “This government claimed to bring Sikhya kranti but everyday there are several reports on students struggling with various issues in the government schools. This is just to divert the attention of the general public and an effort of advertisement.”A routine exercise: AAPDismissing the criticism, AAP spokesperson Paramvir Singh stated that such items are routinely distributed under chief minister schemes, adding that the opposition is raising non-issues due to a lack of genuine grievances.
