The future of over a 100 employees of the Baba Hira Singh Bhattal Institute of Engineering and Technology is now in the dark with them being served a one month notice by the institute citing financial crunch. Coming down strongly on the move, PPCC Chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said that it was a very dark day for Lehragaga, as well as the state of Punjab and its educational infrastructure.
The institute was set up during the Congress rule in the year 2005, with an aim to promote the growth of technical education in the district of Sangrur and surrounding areas. Lamenting on the timing of the closure of the institute, Raja Warring maintained that over a 100 families will be witnessing a black Diwali due to the decision taken by the AAP government.
“A time when most people expect bonuses, a 100 families will struggle to make ends meet due to unemployment this Diwali.” “The promised ‘badlaav’ by the AAP government is still to be seen, yet all their work seems to be against the state as they continues to backtrack on their words.” - Said Raja Warring. Even this decision is resulting in closure of established work, as a number of people had created jobs for themselves in the vicinity of the institute, according to the PPCC Chief.
“The institute not only helped as a means of education but also as a small industry for the region. A number of jobs are being affected with the closure of the institute.” Raja Warring also commented on how remote and backward areas of the state are being affected due to the irresponsible decisions being taken by the AAP government.
While expressing his dissatisfaction over the situation, the PPCC Chief said - “The dreams of students, employees, and the people of Lehragaga have been ruined. How will students from such remote areas get quality education with the closure of this institution?” It is pertained to note that the employees of the Institute have not been paid their salaries during the entirety of the AAP rule as well.
Raja Warring urged the AAP government to work towards finding other measures, and not look at shutting the institute down, especially in the CMs home district. “Closing the institute is not a solution, we need to offer more courses for students in order to increase the number of students.” Suggesting an alternative to the government, Raja Warring also highlighted how the building could be used for the medical college, which was supposed to open at Mastuana, in Sangrur, as the current location has land disputes and no progress has been made on the same.
This, according to the PPCC Chief would help in providing employment to the staff, as well as education to students living nearby.” Finally, Warring assured the people of Punjab that he will continue to raise his voice against such decisions, “The ruling party is sleeping, our voices will awaken those in power, as this is about the future of our state.”