Punjab Orders Blue-Yellow Paint for 3,602 More Schools; Opposition Cries 'AAP Colours'ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵੱਲੋਂ 3,602 ਹੋਰ ਸਕੂਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨੀਲੇ-ਪੀਲੇ ਰੰਗ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮ, ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਧਿਰ ਦਾ ਦੋਸ਼: ਆਪ ਦੇ ਰੰਗ

Punjab's education department has ordered 3,602 more government schools to be whitewashed in yellow and blue, releasing Rs 80.45 crore for the work, and the opposition says the colours match the ruling Aam Aadmi Party's flag. The order, dated October 1, revives a row that began last December, with the state's assembly elections less than six months away.

What does the new order say?

The Indian Express reported that the order from the Director General of School Education (DGSE) covers the outer buildings, verandahs and corridors of 3,602 schools, to be painted in shades named "egg custard" and "enamel rhapsody". A picture attached to the order shows how the schools will look. The work falls under the "Converting Govt Schools into Smart Schools" scheme. Outlook India reported the list includes 1,895 primary, 764 high, 532 senior secondary and 411 middle schools.

Which districts get the most schools?

According to the figures reported, Amritsar has the most schools in the exercise with 334, followed by Patiala with 326, Ludhiana with 261, Gurdaspur with 240, Hoshiarpur with 236 and Jalandhar with 231. Tarn Taran has 192, Ferozepur 164, Sangrur 144, Fatehgarh Sahib 131, Bathinda 117 and Ropar 80.

Why is it controversial?

A similar order in December last year covered 852 schools and drew allegations from opposition parties that the choice of blue and yellow was political, because those are the colours of AAP's flag. The DGSE, Aravind Kumar MK, confirmed that his office issued the October 1 order. After the December row he had told The Indian Express there was "nothing political behind the choice of the colors" and that schools were undergoing routine renovation and whitewash. The opposition has again alleged the shades resemble AAP's colours; the government has not changed its position in the reports checked.

What are teachers' groups saying?

The Tribune reported on Wednesday that Vikramdev Singh, state president of the Democratic Teachers Front, said nearly 31,370 teaching posts are vacant across Punjab, yet the government has released more than Rs 80 crore for painting schools in yellow and blue. His remarks came in a criticism of plans to use "Mega PTMs" to promote a state scheme. The Hindu reported that teacher shortages have been at the centre of a political fight since AAP MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana was suspended after going public with such complaints.

How much will the painting cost?

Rs 80.45 crore has been released for the 3,602 schools, according to the order as reported by The Indian Express and Outlook India.

Is this the first time Punjab has colour-coded its schools?

No. The December order covered 852 schools and triggered a similar political row; the new order is far larger.

Who ordered the work?

The Director General of School Education, Aravind Kumar MK, confirmed his office issued the order dated October 1.