Discussions on regarding continuing NEP, decision in days ahead after consulting CM: Min MC Sudhakar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar on Tuesday said he is holding discussions with experts and stakeholders regarding the National Education Policy (NEP), implemented by the previous BJP government and a decision will be taken about continuing it in the days ahead, in consultation with the Chief Minister.
The Minister also said consultations will also be held with the Primary and Secondary Education department while taking a decision, as the policy is applicable to that department as well.
"Regarding NEP we had called a meeting of experts who have studied about it, already a delegation under the leadership of Niranjanaradhya has met the Chief Minister and have shared their opinion regarding NEP. After assuming charge as the Minister I'm getting details about NEP and its pros and cons, and the Congress party' stand on it," Sudhakar said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, to gather further information and inputs he is holding consultations and discussions with various experts who were involved in the implementation of NEP, also with former Vice- Chancellors.
"With two years since the implementation of NEP, we are also trying to gather information from the teaching fraternity regarding the issues faced and the actual situation on ground, and information regarding whether it was implemented in a hurry," the Minister said.
Noting that NEP is also applicable to Primary and Secondary Education, he further said, "the Primary and Secondary Education Minister is taking certain measures regarding textbooks, after that, both of us will hold a meeting together, gather detailed information and, have plans to to take further decision after bringing it to the notice of the Chief Minister."
Stating that the education sector will not be allowed to be "adulterated" in the name of NEP, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently during his meeting with more than 40 writers and heads of various organisations, said a separate meeting would be convened in this regard once again to discuss it comprehensively and take strict decisions.
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Misuse of power, money to control election mechanism seen during Maharashtra polls: Sharad Pawar
Pune (PTI): NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday claimed the misuse of power and money to control the entire election mechanism, which was never before seen in any state assembly or national polls, was witnessed in Maharashtra.
Pawar made the statement when he visited senior activist Dr Baba Adhav, who is protesting against the alleged "misuse of EVMs" in the recent state polls in Maharashtra.
Adhav, who is in his 90s, began his three-day protest at Phule Wada, the residence of social reformer Jyotiba Phule, in the city on Thursday.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies, the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), have been alleging manipulation of EVMs in the recently held Maharashtra Assembly elections, which saw a landslide victory by the Mahayuti.
The Mahayuti, comprising the Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP, won 230 out of 288 assembly seats in the November 20 polls, while the MVA managed just 46 seats.Talking to reporters, Pawar said elections were conducted recently in the country, and there is a restlessness among the people about these.
Baba Adhav's agitation represents this restlessness, he said.
He said, "There is a murmur among the people that the recent polls in Maharashtra saw 'misuse of power' and 'floods of money', which was never seen in the past. Such things are heard of in local-level polls, but taking over the entire election mechanism with the help of money and misuse of power was not seen before. However, we witnessed it in Maharashtra, and people are restless now."
He added that people were recalling late socialist ideologue Jaiprakash Narayan and felt somebody should take a step forward.
"I heard Baba Adhav has taken a lead into this issue and is agitating at Phule Wada. His protest gives hope to the people, but it is not enough. A mass revolt is necessary, as the danger of the parliamentary democracy getting destroyed looms," Pawar said.
The former Union minister said those who have reins of the country in their hands are least bothered about this.
"Despite widespread discussion over it (alleged misuse of EVMs) in the country, whenever the opposition tries to raise the issue in the Parliament, they are not allowed to speak. Opposition leaders have been seeking an opportunity to speak on these issues for six days, but their demands have not been accepted even once. It shows they want to attack parliamentary democracy," he claimed.
He said Dr Adhav's protest is a fine example of someone revolting against the issue and expressed confidence that his protest will create a ripple effect.
