Team Herald
PANJIM: Expressing his displeasure over the controversial and contradictory statements on the medium of instruction (MoI) made by Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar, and the counter comment by Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Wednesday said, “Ministers being part and parcel of the government have no powers to express their personal opinion.”
“Ministers should not give their individual or personal opinion on such crucial issues. Being a minister, he automatically becomes part and parcel of the government’s decision, which is the final decision,” Parsekar told media persons that the BJP-led government will continue to give grants to the 127 English medium primary schools.
“I have told Arlekar and Furtado not to make such comments in the future. They are part of the government and government has already taken a decision,” he said.
“Such politics happen in the Congress party, where government takes one decision and ministers speak something else. We don’t want BJP to become Congress,” Parsekar said.
On Tuesday Arlekar had said that his government decision to give grants to English medium primary schools was wrong and the same should be withdrawn. His statement was condemned by Furtado, saying that he should restrain himself from making such irresponsible comments.
“Let it be the decision of the parents, where their children should learn,” Parsekar, who is also Education Minister, said.
The Chief Minister clarified that grants to English medium primary schools will continue, while the government is also working to promote Marathi and Konkani medium primary schools. “Government stand is clear. Primary education has to be in the mother tongue and hence we are working for promotion of those schools,” he said.
“At the same time, the mess or mistake made by the previous government (Congress) to give grants to English schools cannot be withdrawn just like that. It is not a solution to the problem,” he said.
Parsekar said that once you are in power, government has to think about all sections and the decision cannot be in one favour only.
The Chief Minister also explored the possibility of giving permissions to new English medium primary schools, considering they fit into the criteria set by the government. “If there is really a need we will explore it once we receive the application. We will have to also look into the feasibility report and other aspects before granting it,” he said.
