PANAJI
Advising not to take any extreme stands on the Medium of Instruction (MoI) issue, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has appealed to the stakeholders in education to give their suggestions and recommendations to the ‘academic authority’ constituted by the State government. He has however stated that the advise given by the ‘academic authority’ would be binding on the government.
In his Independence Day address, Parsekar said, “It is a universally accepted that the primary education should be in mother tongue and we too have accepted it. But, there were 135 English medium primary schools in the State which were being given grants right from the time of erstwhile govt. We have continued providing that grant.”
Stating that the State Government has formulated various schemes for schools imparting primary education in mother tongue, Parsekar said, “Additionally, from this year onwards, we have introduced another scheme through which Rs 400 will be provided per month per student.”
He however informed that after initiating all these steps, the State Government has formed an academic authority to advise on the issue of MoI.
“There are no politicians on this committee, only those who have contributed to the field of education who will not take any extreme stand. The suggestions and recommendations given by them will be binding on the State government,” he said.
Taking a dig at Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) and Forum for Rights to Childrens’ Education (FORCE), Parsekar said, “Those who are taking extreme stand, I want to advise them to give their suggestions and recommendations to the govt. After they are received from this committee, the govt will also think over it.”
Stating that mining is the financial artery of Goa, Parsekar said, “For nearly three-and-a-half years, mining which was generating revenue of nearly 1200 to 1300 crore came to a standstill and Goa was in financial crisis. Despite this, the State Government provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs 163 crore to the mining affected through various schemes. Now mining activities have begun in the State and I am certain that it will gain momentum post monsoon season.”
He however appealed to the mining stakeholders to take up mining activities while ensuring protection of the environment.
Meanwhile, Parsekar said that the govt has deferred the implementation of the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) by 15 days to September 1. Presently, 28 hospitals have been empanelled under the scheme.
