The girl was relegated to no rank because of being older in age despite obtaining full marks.
Raghbir Singh Brar
Faridkot
Mohar Singh Gill, a resident of village Sirsari, whose daughter Jashanpreet Kaur had topped the state class 10th examination in 2024-25,alleged that Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan had announced a prize of Rs 51000 during a function but not a single paise has been paid to her.
“My daughter had topped class 10 in March 2025 obtaining 650/650 marks held by the Punjab School Education Board. The problem was about the policy.The youngest candidate with the same marks was declared to be topper while the older in age were out of the race.Though my daughter got the same marks equal to the topper girl, yet as she was older in age, the three younger students got the first,second and the third positions,but she could not get any prize given by the government,which was Rs 51000,” said Mohar Singh Gill, father of the girl.
The policy problem led my daughter to dropping to 4th rank only because of being older in age,said Mohar Singh Gill.
“Kultar Singh Sandhwan had first honoured some students of the same private school and then his team allegedly chalked out a programme that they would also visit my village and also honour my daughter as well.The programme was help by the village club and many of the prominent persons from the village.There Sandhwan allegedly announced a prize of Rs 31000 out of his discretionary funds.But many said that the prize money is small and it should be equal to the other toppers.We then wrote an application to enhance it to Rs 51000, but in the meantime, there was going to be a function in government girls senior secondary school Kotkapura.The Punjab and Chandigarh union of journalists had already discussed matter with Sandhwan and it was agreed agreed upon by them that he would pay my daughter Rs 51000,” claimed Mohar Singh.
“My daughter was honoured in a function held by the Punjab and Chandigarh union of journalists on June 8,2025 at Kotkapura.The speaker had announced that though the student was not able to win the Punjab government first prize of Rs 51000, he would award him the same amount from his discretionary funds,’ alleged Mohar Singh Gill.
“It is very pained to go through such ordeal that first of all, my daughter Jashanpreet Kaur was kept of rank despite getting 650/650 marks being older in age.Then at the CM house, when CM Bhagwant Mann honoured the toppers, the other got much bigger shields while my daughter got smaller one leading us to be humilated.We did not demand money from the speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan,rather he made this announcement himself to shine in the news,but then despite many reminders through many persons and myself, We got not a single paise of that,” said Mohar Singh.
Mohar Singh Gill is a reporter with a vernacular daily and the issue has been raised in the local unit of the Punjab and Chandigarh union of journalists today.
The union has fixed a meeting on Tuesday at 10 am regarding this.
SR Kuala,OSD to Speaker speak
When contacted,SR Kusla, OSD to Kultar Singh Sandhwan,speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha said that he is not aware of the announcement.
“If the announcement was really made, the prize money would be awarded to the deserved student.The prize has to be given out of the discretionary funds and we are still waiting for the funds.You may ask the family to contact me if they are still left and I shall look into the matter,’ Kusla said.
However, Mohar Singh said that the speaker is not unaware of it as it has been brought to his notice many times.
“I would rather spurn it than repeatedly requesting him,” said Mohar.
Photo credit:Mohar Singh Gill.
photocopy of the news from the Ajit newspaper.