PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar is unclear on whether the Medium of Instruction (MoI) bill will be tabled during the forthcoming winter session of the State Legislative Assembly, beginning from January 11.
“The Bill is still with the State Legislative Assembly’s select committee. Once they submit the report, we would be in position to know,” Parsekar, who heads the select committee, told media persons on Thursday.
“I cannot comment before the select committee gives its report,” he added, refusing to assure whether the Bill will be tabled in the coming session.
The controversial MoI bill was presented in the House on August 19, 2014. The Bill was referred to the select committee after a few MLAs from the ruling coalition demanded certain amendments and claimed that certain clauses of the Bill are unclear.
Parents, under the banner of FORCE, have been demanding that the bill be passed in the Assembly. Parents, teachers and students had held a massive protest in August 2015 after the government failed to pass the Bill during the Monsoon session.
The Bill, while continuing grant-in-aid to English medium primary schools, has divided the concept of MoI into two grounds – grants in aid and recognition. It gave government powers to withdraw grants and recognition to schools whose management is found to have criminal background or involved in any criminal case, thereby taking over the school management by appointing an administrator.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said the bill ‘Regularization of Unauthorised Structures and Encroachments Act, 2015’ would be tabled during the session. Residential structures, existing before February 28, 2014 with conclusive documentary evidence issued by a government department will be considered.
“No structure in Coastal Regulation Zone or no-development zone would be considered,” he clarified.
