Jaipur: The Congress has objected to reports that private school buses in Jalore district are being requisitioned to transport people to Pachpadra for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s refinery inauguration on April 21, calling it a misuse of govt machinery and “dictatorial functioning.”The party cited a district education officer’s directive asking private schools to provide buses, with more than 550 buses reportedly required in Jalore.Congress alleged buses from private operators and schools were being forcibly taken to boost attendance at the PM’s event and raised concerns that students were being compelled to attend, including Class 11-12 students in Balotra as per a directive issued by the chief district education officer, questioning how children would commute to school if buses were diverted for the event.Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra further claimed that the move was disrupting daily life, particularly affecting students and families. “Children’s education is being compromised, and families with pre-booked transport for weddings are facing inconvenience as buses are being diverted or cancelled,” he said on X.Raising concerns over students allegedly being compelled to attend the programme, the party questioned the rationale behind diverting school transport for a political event. “Why are students forced to attend a political function instead of going to school? How will children commute if school buses are taken away?” he asked.Terming the situation “undemocratic,” Dotasra alleged that the govt was creating unnecessary hardship for ordinary citizens to project a large gathering at the event. It further criticised what it described as an “event-centric approach” to governance.“The govt has become an event management machinery, where public convenience and essential services are sidelined for political optics,” he added.He also warned that such actions reflect “arrogance of power” and asserted that the public would respond at the appropriate time.
