Kageri unhappy with Central govt

Minister for primary and secondary education Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri on Thursday urged the Centre to express its stand on the language policy in primary education and present it before the Supreme Court.

Kageri told reporters that the state government had already completed its arguments before the apex court in favour of imparting education, up to fifth standard, in regional language.

The minister said that in the Supreme Court, the arguments by all parties were over and the subject was reserved for judgment. The court had issued notices to all the respondents, including central government, to come out with its opinion on the issue. “Unfortunately, central government has completely neglected the matter. It has not bothered to respond or even engage an advocate,” Kageri explained.

The minister added that writers and poets have filed a separate petition before the SC and presented argument in favour of implementing the language policy. He thanked them for supporting the state’s policy. “We have presented our case in a befitting way and are sure to get a favourable verdict,” he added.

Karnataka State Unaided Schools Management Association has, however, challenged the implementation of language policy in court.

Kageri further attacked the Centre for not releasing funds for the students from weaker sections who get admission in private schools.

The minister maintained that though the state was in the forefront in implementing Right to Education Act (RTE), the central government’s reluctance to release funds was proving to be a roadblock, he added.

This year itself the amount required was `50 crore. Once the RTE is fully implemented, it will go up to thousands of crore rupees. The state will not be able to shoulder this responsibility on its own, Kageri said.

LPG cap and midday meals
The union government’s decision to restrict the supply of subsidised LPG cylinders will affect midday meals project, the minister said.

About Rs900 crore is spent on midday meal project in the state. If the supply of subsidised LPG cylinders to the kitchens, which cook midday meals, are removed it will add to state government’s burden, he added.