Year after they paid for plaques, inaugurations, Punjab teachers wait for government to clear Bill

Over a year after the Punjab government's "Sikhya Kranti" campaign, teachers in various districts are still awaiting reimbursement for expenses they paid out of their own pockets. The campaign, launched in April-May 2023 by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, saw the installation of more than 25,000 plaques in government schools across Punjab.

Granite plaques were installed for different works, including boundary walls, toilets, and classrooms, often accompanied by the names of key government officials. Teachers were tasked with organizing inauguration ceremonies for visiting ministers and MLAs, resulting in significant out-of-pocket expenses for tents, refreshments, sound systems, and publicity materials.

Despite the government's directive to install only one plaque per school and to reimburse expenses, many teachers in Barnala, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Moga, and other districts have not received the promised payments. Teachers claim they were left with no choice but to pay vendors from their own funds, and now face the issue of reimbursing the vendors themselves.

Some vendors, like Harkeet Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib, have yet to receive payment from the government, despite supplying granite plaques to multiple schools. Teachers who spoke to The Indian Express requested anonymity, citing fear of potential departmental action. They expressed frustration, questioning the purpose of the campaign if there was no budget allocated for reimbursement.

The Education Department has stated that the majority of bills have been cleared after releasing a tranche of Rs 12.25 crore, but acknowledged that some payments remain pending.