PANAJI
The meeting, which started at 9.30 am at the chief minister s residence, Altinho, Panaji was attended by Subhash Velingkar, Pandurang Nadkarni, Subhash Dessai, Aravind Bhatikar, Fr Mohsinho Athaide, Adv Swati Kerkar, among others.The meeting began with the chief minister listing the various steps taken by the government to promote primary schools in Konkani and Marathi, sources said.He also pointed out to the scheme announced in the recent budget of providing an amount of Rs 400 per student per month studying in schools imparting education in regional languages.In an attempt to win over BBSM leaders, Parsekar asked them if they had any suggestions for promoting existing schools in Marathi and Konkani.BBSM leaders had only single point agenda that the State Government discontinue grants to the 132 minority run English medium primary school.Responding to this demand the chief minister said he would speak to his people and invite them for further discussions.Though Parsekar has said that he would meet BBSM leaders once again to deliberate on the issue, BBSM has decided to go ahead with its agitation as planned.Apparently, this was the first meeting between Parsekar and the BBSM which was convened after the latter petitioned the State Government on the issue of MoI and threatened to intensify their agitation. Speaking to media persons, Parsekar said, “We had a fruitful discussion. I will not let the discussion go a waste. I feel that the issue needs to be resolved at the earliest.”BBSM convener Subhash Velingkar however said that the meeting was unproductive.“The meeting was unproductive. Nothing happened. Chief Minister has said we will meet again. But this will not affect our agitation in any way,” said Velingkar. It was also learnt that BBSM leader Subhash Velingkar and Parsekar held a meeting with the top bosses on the issue.The petition stated that the State Government forced BBSM to launch their agitation in 2015 as it had failed to fulfill the BBSM demand of discontinuing grants to the 132 minority-run English medium primary schools, the BBSM will intensify the agitation and the BJP-led State Government will solely be responsible for the consequences.After the token dharna BBSM held on June 18 at 19 locations across the State, the second phase of their agitation will continue with public meetings in eight constituencies.Sources also informed that BBSM has advised the chief minister not to delay the meetings and not to hold multiple meetings as they have only one point to decide.
