New pre-school rules may shut 25,000 institutions in Karnataka, affect 4.5 lakh women: Council
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Council of Pre-Schools has raised serious concerns over newly issued regulations for pre-schools, warning that nearly 25,000 institutions across the state could be forced to shut down if the rules are implemented in their present form.
The council also said that close to 4.5 lakh women employed in the sector may lose their jobs, leading to widespread financial distress for families dependent on pre-school income.
Addressing reporters on Wednesday, representatives of the council said they have sought the intervention of the Minister for School Education and Literacy and urged the government to suspend the new rules and redraft them. According to a report published by Deccan Herald, the council termed the compulsory enforcement of the revised norms as impractical and unworkable.
The council warned that the restrictions, if implemented without changes, could have a significant socio-economic impact. They said the pre-school sector largely employs women, and large-scale closures would push thousands out of employment.
One of the major objections relates to a provision requiring pre-schools functioning from residential premises to comply with a 30-year lease condition. Deccan Herald quoted Council secretary Pruthvi Banavasi as stating that such a requirement is unrealistic, as most landlords would not agree to lease properties for such a long duration. He said nearly 90 per cent of existing pre-schools may not be able to meet this condition, making it difficult for them to continue operations.
The council also expressed concern over the rule mandating a minimum classroom size of 18 feet by 20 feet. According to the representatives, many neighbourhood-based pre-schools operate in smaller, secure and home-like settings preferred by parents of young children. They argued that the uniform size requirement does not take into account the functioning pattern of such institutions.
The council has urged the government to hold consultations with stakeholders before finalising the norms.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
