Former Akali legislator says PMC chief offered to help, school says will move court

The standoff between Yadavindra Public School (YPS) and the Patiala Municipal Corporation (PMC) has started to gain political overtones.

Former Akali legislator from Samana, Surjit Singh Rakhra, met the Punjab CM on Sunday and apprised him of the issue.

“The CM has assured me that he would ask the PMC to look into the matter and relieve YPS of any excess tax net. I have spoken to the YPS principal as well,” said Rakhra.

He added: “The problem will be over as the government is willing to help YPS on the issue.”

YPS principal Stanley Vinod Kumar, however, did not meet the civic body representatives.

“I have spoken to Preneet Kaur, Congress MP from Patiala, who has asked me to take up the matter with the chief secretary. I am, therefore, not going to meet the PMC commissioner. We have, instead, planned to challenge the matter in the High Court.”  

On this, the media advisor to Rakhra, Ravee S Ahluwalia, said: “Stanley has refused to meet anyone on the issue and is trying to politicise the matter.”

Ahluwalia added: “The MC Commissioner had personally assured us of making all efforts to resolve the matter. The authorities at YPS, however, seem to be paying a deaf ear to his requests.”  

While maintaining that he is equally willing to solve the problem, Stanley said he has to obey the orders of the board of governors.

... contd.