Issue notices to edu officers of districts with low pass percentage: CM Siddaramaiah to Chief Secy
Bengaluru, May 31 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday instructed that notices be issued to Deputy Directors of Public Instruction in districts where the pass percentage in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate /Class 10 exams is below 60 per cent.
At the review meeting with Deputy Commissioners of all districts and CEOs of all Zilla Panchayats here, the CM asked Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to issue notices to DDPIs.
"If the response given to the notice is not satisfactory, action should be taken against them," Siddaramaiah was quoted as telling officers, his office said in a release.
Asking officials not to make the excuse of teacher shortage or staff shortage for the low results in SSLC, he said good results are coming only in Dakshina Kannada and few other districts.
"DDPIs must take responsibility. They, along with secretaries in charge of districts, must visit schools and review the performance of teachers....if teachers and DDPIs work with interest, good results will come everywhere," he said.
Noting that there should be no delay in allocating funds for the construction of schoolrooms under the Viveka scheme, the CM said the action plan should be prepared immediately.
He questioned the DCs as to why the schoolrooms had not been constructed yet, even after the money was released.
Pointing out that the enrollment rate at government schools is decreasing every year, Siddaramaiah said teachers and officials should talk to parents so that the enrollment rate of children in government schools does not decrease, and everything possible should be done to prevent dropouts.
"Why is the enrollment rate of children decreasing despite the government providing eggs, milk, ragi malt, soup, and hostel facilities?" he asked and told the officials to take necessary steps to resolve the problems by getting information about their practical experiences and taking necessary action.
The CM instructed the CEOs and DCs and District in-charge secretaries of the districts whose examination results and child enrollment to schools are lower than the state average, to ensure that the situation improves by the next academic year.
CEOs of Kalyana Karnataka region districts should pay more attention and monitor this matter. The reasons and excuses for the low results are not important, it is important to bring results, he said.
The CM told them that if there is sincere effort, sincere results will come.
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
