Captured by : ENGLISH GRANTS
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DIVISION IN BJP GROUP
* Some MLAs were for status quo and continuation of grants to minority-run 132 English medium primary schools
* Some opined that grants be extended to all English-medium primary schools
* Another section were of the view that grants be stopped to the 132 minority-run schools
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Though I am the chairman of the (Select) committee, there are other members of who have to also give their recommendations
- Laxmikant Parsekar, Chief Minister
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PANAJI: Uncertainty prevails over the Medium of Instruction (MoI) Bill, with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar now passing the buck on the select committee which will meet before the upcoming winter session of the Assembly to deliberate on the issue.
The State Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday held at meeting of its office bearers, MLAs and ministers in Panaji.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Parsekar said, “The MOI bill has been sent to the select committee. We will hold a meeting of the committee before the upcoming winter session of the assembly on January 11. Whatever decision is taken by the select committee, we will go forward with that.”
While some MLAs demanded that status quo be maintained and grants to minority-run 132 English medium primary schools be continued, some were of the opinion that grants should be extended to all English-medium primary schools. Nonetheless, another section even opined that grants should be stopped to the 132 minority-run schools.
Speaking further, Parsekar said, “Many of the MLAs were vocal on the issue of MOI. We have discussed various aspects of the MOI issue but no decision has been taken. It is presently with the select committee which has to submit its report.”
Reiterating his stand that grants to the 132 minority-run English medium primary schools should continue, he said, “There are various viewpoints on the MOI issue. Even my opinion was not to make any alterations to the present conditions. I have reiterated it on several occasions.”
When asked about what are the chances of the select committee submitting its report before the session beginning January 11, he said, “Though I am the chairman of the committee there are other members of the committee who have to also give their recommendations.”
