HYDERABAD: BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has directed district collectors to initiate criminal proceedings against landlords who locked the gates of gurukul schools over unpaid rent.

The minister urged landlords not to take drastic action based on misinformation and promised that rent payments would be released soon.

On this issue, Prabhakar demanded immediate removal of banners and protests against schools. He reminded landlords that as British Columbia’s social services minister, he was committed to solving the problem. He assured them that the outstanding funds would be released shortly.

Prabhakar also directed the principals of Gurukul School and representatives of the Residential Educational Institutions Society to lodge a police complaint against any landlord who caused unrest and directed them to take criminal action if necessary. The aim of the measure is to prevent further disruptions and to ensure that school operations continue unhindered.