Action on Sachar report soon

Sonia says UPA govt will take appropriate action on the recommendations of the Rajinder Sachar committee, reports Srinand Jha.

The Sachar panel recommendations will shortly be implemented, “Appropriate action is in hand” on the Sachar recommendations, says, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Gandhi said at a conference on SC/STs at the Vigyan Bhawan on Friday.

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Based on the panel’s recommendations, the union cabinet lately cleared proposals for the setting up of four bodies: An equal opportunity commission, a national data bank, education and skill development committee and a committee for the identification of minority-dominated districts.

The government, Gandhi said, was committed to uplifting of both the religious as well as linguistic minorities. She also emphasised on the need to develop appropriate textbooks and teaching material for providing education to religious minorities in their mother tongue.

“The real test of education is that it should inculcate a sense of respect, a spirit of tolerance, a sensitivity to our diversity and provide a rich understanding of our values”, she said.

Elementary education, she said, was the UPA Government’s highest priority - while pointing out that over 35,000 crores had been allocated for the sector through the flagship program of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

Organised by Lok Sabha deputy speaker Charnjit Singh Atwal, the conference was attended by a host of dignitaries including Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and HRD minister Arjun Singh.

Speaking at the conference, HRD minister Arjun Singh expressed disfavour for the continuing agitation of backwards for more seats in higher educational institutions.

“The government decided to increase the number of seats for resolving the conflict of advantages between the backwards and other sections and making higher education inclusive. Still, people from backward classes are contesting for more shares. This mindset prevails because they cannot think beyond their own rights”, he said.

Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said that poverty was the main reason for the high dropout rate in school, while stating that population control could be an important intervention for solving the problem of poverty.

Social evils like child marriage and child labour cannot be completely eradicated unless the children of weaker sections get equal opportunities, he said.