GUJRAT: As many as 2,000 laptops which were supposed to be distributed in phase 4 of Chief Minister`s e-Youth Laptop Scheme remain undistributed.

The Punjab government started distributing laptops to deserving students under its e-youth initiative in March this year.

Hundreds of students of Gujrat district, including 592 of University of Gujrat (UoG), were also selected on merit, but were yet to receive the laptops.

The students were told they would get the laptops on May 19 during a ceremony scheduled at Zamindar College, Bhimbher Road that was supposed to be attended by MNA Hamza Shahbaz.

On May 18, the students were communicated by the deputy director (colleges) that the ceremony had been postponed owing to the `busy schedule of Hamza ShahbazSharif` and a new date would be announced later. However, the ceremony has not been held since then.

According to official sources, hundreds of laptops are rusting away and several of them have been damaged.

Students in the district have lodged a protest and demanded the laptops be distributed to them, but the officials are allegedly waiting for directions from the chief minister`s office.

Government Zamindar College Principal Prof Obaidullah said the administration had nothing to do with the schedule or arranging of the ceremony as it was handled by the provincial government.

UoG spokesman Sheikh Rasheed said the varsity administration had not yet been informed of a date for the distribution of laptops.

NEW POLICE STATION: The Shaheen Chowk police post has been upgraded as a police station after birfurcation of Gujrat city`sarea wise largest Civil Lines police station.

The number of police stations in Gujrat district has now reached at 23 with this new station whereas the city circle police now comprises five police stations.

The local administration and the police had sought the status of police station for at least three police posts of the district around seven years ago, but the Mungowal police post of Kunjah police and Dinga city police post of Dinga police are yet to get the status.The new police station has initially been established at the upper floor of the existing building of the Civil Lines police station, however it will get its own separate building later on.

Gujrat acting district police officer Khalid Cheema and Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa inaugurated the new police station at a ceremony held at the Civil Lines police station on Friday.