Image showing the plaque installed for the inauguration.
Credit: X/@Tractor2twitr_P
The Punjab government recently repaired school restrooms as part of the ‘Sikhya Kranti’ initiative, but their decision to install inauguration plaque for the commemoration of the same has sparked amusement on social media. Users have also questioned the injudicious use of taxpayer money for frivolous installations like this.
The plaques in question displayed the names of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and education minister Harjot Singh Bains prominently on top, despite not having inaugurated the works, and the names of local MLAs were seen placed below them.
Netizens were quick to react to this, calling the chief minister ”Toilet king of Punjab.”
People have also noted that such plaques were avoided before Mann gained power and also during the initial days of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rule in Punjab. Even if a plaque was placed, the names of politicians who contributed to the plaque were not included, Times of India reported.
One X user (@Tractor 2 Twitter Punjab) called the inaugural plaques a "gross waste of taxpayers' money" and expressed his disbelief in “three MLAs laying foundation stones for repairing toilets in Punjab”. Another user replied "Same minister's name, same project. Harjot Singh Bains really out here campaigning for 'Toilet King of Punjab'. This isn't development, it's delusion."
However, there were few who also spoke out in support of the AAP government in Punjab, welcoming the much needed repairs of facilities for public use such as the toilets. One user, Maddy Sethi, explained that toilets are significantly important facilities, especially for girls and urged the users trolling AAP for this move to not forward hate.
Another user, Manik Goyal, said that plaques for commemorating major achievements are good but plaques for such small things should be avoided.