Directed NCERT to review textbooks of all classes: Centre to SC
New Delhi (PTI): The Centre on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has directed the NCERT to review the textbooks of all classes.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said that instead of asking the NCERT to do so, it would have appreciated if the Centre constituted an expert committee to review the curriculum.
The apex court was hearing a suo motu case concerning NCERT's Class 8 social science book, which contained "offending" contents on corruption in the judiciary.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the government has asked the NCERT to review textbooks of all classes, not just Class eight. He assured the bench that a panel of domain experts would be constituted to examine the curriculum.
ALSO READ: It's uninformed and unhelpful: ICC hits back at criticism of travel arrangements
"We have started systemic changes," he told the bench, adding that nothing will be published without being vetted by the domain experts.
Mehta also informed the bench that the NCERT director has filed an affidavit tendering an unconditional and unqualified apology.
On February 26, the apex court imposed a "complete blanket ban" on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of NCERT's Class 8 social science book as it contains "offending" contents on corruption in the judiciary, saying they have fired a gunshot and the judiciary is "bleeding".
Observing that there appeared to be a "deep-rooted conspiracy" and "calculated move" to undermine the institution and demean the dignity of the judiciary, the apex court had directed that all copies of the book currently in circulation be immediately seized and removed from public access without any delay.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Air India, its subsidiary to operate 58 flights to and from West Asia
Mumbai (PTI): Full-service carrier Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express have said they will together operate a total of 58 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from West Asia on Wednesday.
Amid the escalating conflict in the region involving the US, Israel and Iran, airlines are operating services in a calibrated manner as there are airspace restrictions and closures.
The two carriers will continue to operate their respective scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat on March 11, Air India said in a statement on Tuesday.
While Air India will operate eight flights to and from Jeddah, Air India Express will be operating 14 scheduled flights to and from Muscat, it stated.
ALSO READ: Nehru sat through debate, requested more time for oppn: Cong slams Rijiju for 1954 comparison
Air India will operate one round-trip each from Delhi and Mumbai to Jeddah, and Air India Express will operate a round-trip each from Hyderabad and Kozhikode to Jeddah on Wednesday.
Air India Express will also operate its scheduled services to Muscat, including a round-trip each from Delhi, Mumbai, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram and Tiruchirappalli, and two round-trips from Kochi, the airline said.
In addition to the scheduled services, Air India and Air India Express would also operate a total of 36 ad-hoc non-scheduled flights to and from the UAE, subject to the availability of slots and other prevailing conditions at the respective point of departure at the time, it said.
These flights are being operated with the requisite permissions from the relevant Indian and local regulatory authorities, it added.
