Sangrur, April 2: A major portion of the education cess imposed on liquor by the previous SAD-BJP government was allegedly misused. AAP’s Dirba MLA Harpal Singh Cheema has written a letter to Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, seeking a high-level inquiry into the utilisation of cess collected between 2007 and March 31, 2017.
Cheema had also raised the matter during the recent Budget session. He had asked Education Minister Aruna Chaudhary about the details of cess collected by the Excise and Taxation Department.
Figures show that between March 2007 and 2017, the government collected a total of Rs 731.36 crore as cess. The state saw a considerable hike in the collection of cess during the period. It was Rs 33.28 crore in 2007, Rs 33.28 crore 2007-08, Rs 39.8 crore 2008-09, Rs 64.26 crore 2009-10, Rs 72.86 crore 2010-11, Rs 71.3 crore 2011-12, Rs 70.31 crore 2012-13, Rs 81.29 crore 2013-14, Rs 93.81 crore 2014-15, Rs 99.72 crore 2015-16 and Rs 101.61 crore 2016-17.
The Education Minister could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. However, she had stated in the Assembly: “The cess was collected till 2016-17, as it was abolished after that. From March 2007 to March 31, 2017, Rs 731.36-crore cess was collected.
It was meant to be utilised for improving the quality of education, infrastructure and other amenities,” she told the House.
Cheema, while sharing the details, alleged that Rs 223.01 crore was released to Adarsh schools, of which Rs 114.13 crore was meant for operational expenses and the remaining Rs 78.88 crore for capital expenses.
Another Rs 161.26 crore was released for meritorious schools.“The remaining Rs 347.09 crore was misused for non-education purposes by the previous SAD-BJP government for political gains. I have written a letter to the CM for a high-level inquiry and action against the officials concerned,” said Cheema.
Source Tribune India
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