LAHORE: The Punjab ombudsman has directed the education department authorities to submit within 15 days a report pertaining to non-payment of cash prize of essay writing competition to a female student of Kasur district even after a lapse of three years.

Taking notice of the appeal of Ms Kiran in a newspaper, Ombudsman Javed Mahmood on Tuesday directed the school education department secretary, Kasur district coordination officer and executive district officer (education) to ensure payment of cash prize to Ms Kiran within the stipulated period.

Ms Kiran, daughter of Mukhtar Ahmad of Talvandi village in Chunian tehsil, had stood first at Markaz Level while secured second position at tehsil level in essay writing competitions, organised by the Punjab government during youth festival in 2012. She said the government had announced giving cash prizes to the position holders but she was deprived of her award.

“I was in class-VIII when I won essay writing competition and now I have passed my matriculation securing A+ grade and still waiting for my right,” said Kiran who belonged to a poor family and had to bear expenses of travelling, boarding and food from her own pocket during the process of essay writing competition.

“As I have passed my matriculation and wish to continue studies which I can hardly afford, payment of amount of cash award, pending on the part of the government, may help me a lot for admission,” said the girl.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2015

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