Senior Punjab Congress leader Sukhpal Khaira on Thursday castigated the statement of Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal that Rs 1 crore granted to The Lawrence School were not from Punjab Nirman funds.
"I have presented documented proof of the finance department (letter No 3/45/09-FE 6/641 dated October 1, 2012), in my press conference here on Wednesday. It is saddening to note that people at the level of the deputy chief minister indulge in hoodwinking the people very conveniently," the former Congress MLA said in a statement here.
"I challenge Sukhbir to factually prove my allegations wrong or he should tender a public apology for misleading the electorate of Punjab for squandering the taxpayer's money," Khaira said.
He stated that the Congress stand against such a funding was based on the fact that 18,397 government schools of Punjab were in a pitiable condition.
"Children in government schools have to squat on the floor to study, there are no toilets, no safe drinking water or teachers. Had Sukhbir given this Rs 1 crore to primary schools of the state, we could have improved the condition of at least more than two dozen schools," Khaira said.
