Chastising schools for not teaching Punjabi as a compulsory subject, Punjab Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur said heavy fines will be imposed on the erring schools and their affiliation cancelled. Kaur was talking at a function in Sultanpur Lodhi to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on Monday.

According to the Punjabi Language Act, it is compulsory for all schools in Punjab to teach Punjabi as a compulsory subject. If schools violate this Act, they are liable to pay fines ranging between Rs 25,000 and 75,000.

Kaur said several schools in Ludhiana, Mansa and Ferozepur districts were openly violating the Act and action will be taken against them if they do not mend their ways by November 30.

November is being celebrated as Punjabi Month in the state.