'ED has joined poll campaign,' says TN CM M K Stalin on raids
Chennai (PTI): Hours after the Enforcement Directorate's searches on premises linked to Tamil Nadu Minister K Ponmudy, DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday mocked the central agency as having joined the 'election campaign.'
The case against Ponmudy was a 'false case' that was foisted on him nearly 13 years ago during the late
J Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK regime, Stalin told reporters here before leaving for Bengaluru to take part in the Congress-led Opposition meet.
"As regards Tamil Nadu, Governor R N Ravi is already conducting a poll campaign for us and now, the ED has joined (the poll scene) and I feel the election work for us will be easy," Stalin said.
"The DMK is not worried a wee bit," he said on the ED searches. Such an action by the ED was 'usual, ordinary and a drama' enacted to divert attention.
People were witnessing it all who would give a fitting reply in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he said.
The face-off between Governor R N Ravi and the DMK regime covers several issues including pending files and Bills and he has been accused by the ruling dispensation of acting like a BJP functionary.
Subsequent to the case filed during the AIADMK regime, the ED has been probing money laundering in this regard. In this connection, the ED has conducted searches on the premises linked to DMK leader and Higher Education Minister Ponmudy in Chennai and Villupuram.
The DMK chief said it was the AIADMK that was in power continuously for a decade in the state and they did not make any efforts in respect of this case.
Recently, Ponmudy was acquitted in another case 'foisted' against him during the AIADMK rule, he said, adding 'he (Ponmudy) will face the case legally.'
The CM, answering a question said the Opposition meet (on July 17 and 18) is to dislodge the BJP-led regime at the Centre. It was not convened in connection with the Cauvery river water issue. 'India itself is facing a threat' and the opposition's meeting is to save the nation, he asserted.
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CBSE makes three-language study compulsory in Class 9 from July 1
New Delhi (PTI): The CBSE has made the study of three languages, including at least two native Indian languages, compulsory for Class-9 students beginning July 1, according to a circular issued by the board.
The move is part of the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) alignment of its Scheme of Studies with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.
According to the circular issued on May 15, students opting for a foreign language may do so only as the third language after studying two native Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language.
"With effect from July 1, 2026, for Class IX, the study of three languages (R1, R2, R3) shall be compulsory, with at least two languages being native Indian languages," the circular stated.
The CBSE said to keep the focus on learning and reduce any undue pressure on students, no board examination shall be conducted for R3 at the Class-10 level.
"All assessments for R3 shall be entirely school-based and internal. The performance of students in R3 will be duly reflected in the CBSE certificate. It is clarified that no student will be barred from appearing in the Class X Board Examinations due to R3. Sample question papers, rubrics for internal assessment will be shared by the Board shortly," it added.
The board also asked schools to update their R3 language offerings for Classes 6 to 9 on the OASIS portal by June 30.
Schools facing a shortage of qualified native Indian language teachers may use interim measures, such as inter-school resource sharing, virtual or hybrid teaching support, engagement of retired language teachers and qualified postgraduates, the circular said.
The CBSE further said relaxations would be provided to the Children With Special Needs (CwSN) in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, while foreign students returning to India may get case-by-case exemptions from the requirement of studying two native Indian languages.
