Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday announced cancellation of university and college examinations in the State in view of the Covid pandemic, though the exams that are currently being conducted online by some universities will continue uninterrupted.
In his weekly #AskCaptain Facebook Live session, the Chief Minister said university and college students will be promoted on the basis of their previous years’ results. However, students who want to improve their performance will have the option to taking a fresh examination later, once the Covid crisis is over. Universities and colleges are in the process of working out the modalities for implementing the decision, he said, adding that the decision would be announced in the next few days.
On the School Board examinations, the Chief Minister said the state is following the CBSE decision announced in the Supreme Court some days ago.
Capt Amarinder, however, urged all students to continue with their studies in right earnest despite the cancellation of their examinations. “You have to continue to work for your future,” he told the students.
EX-SERVICEMEN CAN HAVE 6 ATTEMPTS IN PCS EXAMS
In an initiative for ex-servicemen, Capt Amarinder announced increase in the number of attempts for taking the PCS examination. While the SC candidates among the general category will continue to get unlimited chances, as per the existing system, the general category ex-servicemen will now get six attempts, in line with the overall general category, instead of the earlier four chances. For the BC category of ex-servicemen, the number of attempts has been increased to nine, he said, adding that he had received several petitions from ex-servicemen to be put at par with the overall general category of aspirants. AKALIS HAVE SOLD OUT PUNJAB’S INTERESTS BY SUPPORTING ANTI-FARMER ORDINANCES, SAYS CAPT AMARINDER
Accusing the Akalis of selling Punjab’s interests by agreeing to the anti-farm Ordinances in order to ruin the state’s farming community, Capt Amarinder asserted that he would take the fight against the anti-farmer Ordinances to the Centre. He said he would be writing soon to the Prime Minister for appointment for the all-party delegation which all Punjab parties, except the BJP, had unanimously decided upon.
“No matter what Sukhbir Badal or BJP say, once these Ordinances are passed, the Centre’s next step would be to end the MSP regime and dismantle the FCI,” warned Capt Amarinder, pointing to the recommendations of the Shanta Kumar committee.
“You can imagine what will happen to Punjab farmers if this becomes a reality,” he said, adding that the procurement process will come to an end and Mandis will be finished once the Ordinances become law. The Akalis were only interested in protecting their political interests, with Harsimrat Kaur Badal focused on safeguarding her position in the Union Cabinet, said the Chief Minister, adding that the Badals were appeasing the BJP to save their alliance in Punjab at any cost.
Underlining the need to save Punjab and protect its interests, the Chief Minister said the Ordinances were 100% against Punjab and anti-farmers, as agreed by all political parties, except BJP and the Akalis. All the Kisan Unions, who he had recently met, also wanted immediate scrapping of these Ordinances, he added.
COVID-19, THINGS NOT GOOD
On the Covid situation, the Chief Minister said things were not good, as cases continued to rise across India, and even Punjab had touched the 6000 mark, with 157 deaths reported so far.
He reiterated the importance of taking all precautions, including social distancing and wearing of masks. Pointing out that 4000-5000 cases were being registered every day for violations, including spitting on roads, he urged the people not to get complacent and violate the rules for their own protection and to save Punjab. “We can only control, not cure,” said the Chief Minister, exhorting the people to follow all guidelines being shared by Sarpanches and others as part of Mission Fateh.
He made it clear in reply to a question that recruitment of doctors, paramedics and nurses was in progress on fast track with the Cabinet having taken a special decision to strengthen the fight against Covid. On strengthening of ambulance fleet in the state, he said the target of 400 would be achieved this year.