The state government today told the state Assembly that institutes opened “smack of corruption and favouritism” by the Congress government. The promoters have not only jeopardised the careers of nearly 20,000 educated youth, but created a serious problem for the government to provide them jobs, it was said. “There will be a Vigilance probe or a high-level inquiry into the entire issue. One wonders how these institutes — few of them run in halwai shops and two-room sets — were allowed to play havoc with the careers of innocent youth,” said Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Intervening on a question asked by Randhir Sharma of the BJP, the Chief Minister said even when in opposition, he had raised this issue in the House, but the government turned a blind eye and dismissed the charges of corruption.

He said the government will cancel the permission given to the promoters to run these institutes. “I have been confronted with some serious complaints about some of these institutes. We will affix responsibility on the persons who allowed the institutes,” said Dhumal. He also made it clear that the government will not take responsibility of the careers of the youth who took admissions in these institutes and paid huge fees.

Earlier, replying to Randhir Sharma, Minister for Technical Education Narinder Bragta said facts that had come to light are shocking. “There have been instances of corruption and nepotism in the mushrooming growth of institutes of vocational training. No norms were adhered to while granting permission,” he said. He announced to hold a probe into the issue and take strict action against the promoters who cheated the youth.