Barmer, April 19 -- The Congress on Saturday criticised an official order directing schools to send class 11 and 12 students to the Prime Minister's programme at the Pachpadra refinery inauguration in Barmer district on April 21, alleging it was a pressure tactic to swell crowds for the event. The order, issued by the district education officer, Balotra, states that students will be taken to the refinery to understand its functioning, objectives and benefits, and its role in future career and vocational opportunities. HT has seen a copy of this order. Congress leaders, Baytoo MLA Harish Chaudhary and Barmer-Jaisalmer MP Ummedaram Beniwal, however, condemned it as pressure tactics to swell crowds for the event. Beniwal shared a copy of the order on social media platform X, alleging that administrative resources and people are being pressured to gather crowds. He wrote: "The way administrative resources and people are being pressured to gather crowds in the name of the Prime Minister's programme is extremely concerning and unfortunate." He added: "Government school students of Classes 11 and 12 from Jodhpur division are being directed to attend the event in the name of a refinery visit. In a democracy, public support should be voluntary, not gathered through pressure and misuse of administration." Chaudhary shared the Education Department's order on X, stating that instructing students to attend a meeting in the name of an educational tour is against the education system and democratic values. People aware of the matter said that the Barmer district administration has been tasked with ensuring 50,000 people attend the April 21 programme, while 100,000 lakh attendees each are expected to arrive from Balotra, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Pali and Sirohi districts . The controversy comes at a time when the administration is facing challenges in mobilising crowds, the people said, as the programme coincides with Akha Teej, when multiple weddings keep villagers engaged in social functions. Barmer is also sweltering under extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 42-43 degrees Celsius, raising concerns about mobilising people Meanwhile, the district administration has cancelled leaves of officials and employees, restricting them from leaving headquarters, warnings of action for negligence in duties. Education Department officials refused to comment on the issue but said the visit is educational. BJP leader Tejdan Charan responded by crediting the BJP for the refinery, which he said is opening new avenues of development in the region. He alleged that opponents are deliberately politicising the matter instead of acknowledging this fact....