Pathankot/Amritsar, Dec 2
AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took out a ‘Tiranga march’ on the main roads of the city even as he came up with his ‘fourth guarantee’ in the form of providing free education to students in government institutions till they wanted to study.
After announcing his party’s three guarantees, the Delhi CM today came out with his much-awaited assurance aimed at providing reforms in the education sector.
I Don’t fly in choppers like CM
I walk with the masses under the sun. I do not fly in helicopters like you do. That is why my skin is dark. —Arvind Kejriwal, AAP national convener
He said the budgetary allocation for education would be increased to 25 per cent from the present 3 per cent. He added the Education Department would undergo massive reforms.
Opposition leaders were quick to point out the promise was “nothing but a ploy to woo 1 lakh-strong teaching community of Punjab”. “How will Kejriwal run the state if he increases the education budget to 25 per cent?” said Pathankot Congress MLA Amit Vij.
A leader accompanying Kejriwal said the guarantee was a part of a series of assurances aimed at the teaching community. These included cashless medical facilities for teachers, a transparent transfer policy, regularising the services of contract staff, filling of all vacant posts and giving time-bound promotions.
The Delhi CM also took a jibe at his Punjab counterpart Charanjit Singh Channi for addressing him as a ‘kala angrez’. Much to the delight of the 15,000 crowd, he retorted: “My skin may be dark but my intentions are fair.”
Kejriwal said “all mothers of Punjab adore their black son (Kejriwal), and sisters their black brother. This time our (AAP) government will be formed in Punjab and this black son and brother will fulfil all promises. I do not make false declarations, because my intentions are clear not fake.
He said AAP, if voted to power, would give Rs 1 crore to the kin of Army men, BSF and Punjab Police personnel killed while fighting infiltrators near the International Border. — TNS
Free edu in govt institutes: Kejri
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