Tamil Nadu unveils State Education Policy, counters NEP with two-language system
Chennai: In a direct challenge to the Centre’s National Education Policy (NEP), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday launched the State Education Policy (SEP), reaffirming the state’s longstanding opposition to what it calls the NEP’s “regressive” and “centralising” approach.
The policy was released at the Anna Centenary Library Auditorium in Kotturpuram. A 14-member committee led by retired Justice Murugesan had been formed in 2022 to draft the SEP and submitted its recommendations to the Chief Minister in July 2024.
According to sources quoted by India Today, the SEP retains Tamil Nadu’s two-language formula, rejecting the NEP’s three-language system. It also proposes undergraduate admissions for arts and science courses to be based on consolidated marks from Classes 11 and 12, instead of relying on common entrance exams.
Tamil Nadu has been a vocal critic of the NEP, particularly opposing its push for centralised exams, standardised testing, and what the DMK government describes as attempts at "Hindi imposition."
The committee recommends strengthening science, artificial intelligence, and English education, alongside increasing investment in state-run institutions, added the report.
It also calls for education to be moved from the concurrent list back to the state list, reinforcing state control over education policy.
The timing of the SEP release comes amid a funding standoff with the Centre. Tamil Nadu alleges that the Union government has withheld Rs 2,152 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme over its refusal to implement NEP.
At the SEP launch, Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin reinforced the government's stance, saying, “Even if they give Rs 1,000 crore, Tamil Nadu won’t implement NEP. Tamil Nadu doesn’t like imposition in any form.”
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Riyan Parag likely to be fined 25 percent of match fees for vaping inside dressing room
New Delhi (PTI): Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is set to be fined 25 per cent of his match fee for bringing the game into "disrepute" after being caught vaping on camera during the IPL game against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
Parag's actions during the Royals' chase on Tuesday night drew condemnation on social media.
PTI has learned that on field umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon had not reported the matter to match referee Amit Sharma right after the game. They only did that after seeing visual proof and Sharma found Parag guilty for a code of conduct breach as per the IPL guidelines.
The Level 1 offences carries 25 per cent deduction from match fees and one demerit point.
"He is set to be fined a portion of his match fees and a demerit point for a Level 1 offence," said an IPL source.
The Indian government had banned e-cigarettes back in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale and distribution. As per the law, the offender faces imprisonment up to one year and/or a Rs one lakh fine for a first time offence.
"Article 2.21 of IPL Code of Conduct is intended to cover all types of conduct that bring the game into disrepute and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in this Code of Conduct, including Article 2.20," the IPL Code of Conduct states.
"By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.
"When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered.
"Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 Offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 Offence)."
Since it is a Level 1 offence there was no need for a hearing.
Parag, who has not had the best of times with the bat this IPL, was seen inhaling an e-cigarette, also known as vaping, in the dressing room during the live broadcast of their game against Punjab Kings. Royals won the game to end Kings' unbeaten run in the tournament.
This is not the first controversy to hit the Royals this season. Earlier this month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs one lakh for breaching PMOA protocol after being found using his phone in the dugout.
IPL and BCCI officials involved in the conduct of the IPL termed it as a careless act in the age of social media and prying TV cameras.
Royals next host Delhi Capitals at home on Friday night.
