Ludhiana, Feb. 12 -- The Smart School Project, which aimed to transform 74 government schools in the district, has hit a major roadblock. Despite assurances of financial support in 2023, only 20% of the promised funds have been released, leaving schools struggling with mounting debts.

According to an official letter issued in November 2023, funds were sanctioned under the "Repair and maintenance of infrastructure in existing government schools" scheme. A grant of Rs.1 lakh per classroom was allocated to 47 primary schools and 27 senior secondary schools, covering three classrooms per primary school, five in high schools, and seven in middle and senior secondary schools. However, the bulk of the funds remain undistributed, forcing schools...