CHANDIGARH/ POD,DESK

Congress General Secretary, CWC member and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja said the overwhelming participation in the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ interaction with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Dehradun demonstrated that young people are determined to raise their concerns, irrespective of logistical hurdles or adverse weather. Reacting to the event, Selja said the enthusiastic turnout despite heavy rainfall and a last-minute change of venue reflected the seriousness with which students view issues such as education, employment and the integrity of competitive examinations. She said the programme reaffirmed that democratic expression cannot be weakened by administrative decisions or venue changes, as thousands of students chose to participate and voice their aspirations for a better future. According to Selja, the Congress has consistently stood with students and young people, pledging to continue advocating for quality education, transparent recruitment systems and expanded employment opportunities.  She observed that a large section of India’s youth looks to Rahul Gandhi to raise issues affecting students, particularly those related to higher education, recruitment and employment. Highlighting concerns over examination reforms, Selja said millions of aspirants invest years of hard work, financial resources and emotional commitment while preparing for competitive examinations. Any instance of paper leaks or procedural irregularities, she said, not only undermines confidence in the system but also places immense emotional and economic pressure on families. Referring to the interaction during the programme, she said the account shared by the father of Riya Kumari, a student linked to the NEET examination issue, was deeply moving and underscored the need for a transparent, accountable and trustworthy examination system. She added that the message emerging from Dehradun was not limited to Uttarakhand but reflected the aspirations of students across the country seeking fairness, opportunity and accountability in education and recruitment.

Haryana Deserved Fresh Development Commitments, Not Repackaged Projects: Kumari Selja

Congress MP Kumari Selja has questioned the Haryana Government’s presentation of development announcements made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the state, alleging that several projects showcased as fresh initiatives had already been sanctioned or were under implementation.  In a statement issued on Friday, Selja said expectations were high ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, with people hoping for new investments in infrastructure, industries, employment generation, healthcare, education and irrigation. She, however, claimed that many of the projects highlighted during the event were previously announced or already in progress, while their combined cost was projected as a new development package worth nearly ₹14,000 crore. Selja said the public has a right to know which projects actually received fresh approval during the visit, how much additional funding has been sanctioned and what timelines have been fixed for their completion. She maintained that the Congress welcomes every genuine development initiative irrespective of which government implements it, but argued that development claims should accurately reflect the facts rather than create a misleading impression. The Congress leader further said Haryana continues to face significant challenges, including unemployment, issues affecting farmers, gaps in education and healthcare infrastructure, sluggish industrial investment and the need for stronger urban and rural development. According to Selja, the state requires new long-term projects capable of generating employment and strengthening the economy. She urged both the Centre and the State Government to place complete details of newly approved projects, financial allocations and implementation schedules in the public domain, stating that transparency and accountability remain essential pillars of democratic governance.

POD/DESK