Badal slammed over Lawrence School 'donation' plan

A Congress leader has accused the Punjab deputy CM of having no regard for taxpayers' money

A senior Congress leader from Punjab, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, last week launched an attack on Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who he says is planning to donate Rs 1 crore to the Lawrence School Sanawar, Badal’s alma mater, from the state exchequer, on October 4.

Khaira objected to Badal’s “doling out Rs 1 crore to a Himachal public school, when the economy of Punjab is in a shambles, has a colossal debt of Rs 80,000 crore, is unable to pay salaries and pensions to its staff, and is not able to honour welfare schemes ,” said Sukhpal. “He is clearly acting like a feudal despot and has no regard for the tax-payers’ money and is ready to defy all norms. Giving a grant out of Punjab’s development funds to a school in Himachal will only make us a laughing stock,” Khaira said .

“If at all Badal wants to donate money to his old school, he can do so from his own pocket as he has a booming business,” said Khaira.

“The Congress demands that Sukh Bir Badal should not formally hand over the money on October 4 during the annual celebrations as chief guest in Sanawar ,” Khaira said.