Joshi-Dias meet makes no progress

March 15: The face-off between the government and Catholic institutions over the implementation of the Pre-Primary Act continued with both s...

March 15: The face-off between the government and Catholic institutions over the implementation of the Pre-Primary Act continued with both sides hardening stand on Saturday when Chief minister Manohar Joshi met Archbishop Ivan Dias.

While Dias urged the Chief Minister to reconsider the 8220;stringent8221; legislation, particularly with respect to minority educational institutions, the Chief Minister categorically told him that the law of the land was applicable to one and all. 8220;I specifically told the Archbishop and his contingent that they will have to abide by the law unanimously passed by both the houses of the state legislature,8221; said Joshi today. Expressing strong displeasure over the objections taken by the minority institutions, the Chief Minister said that his government was determined to provide transparency in admission to pre-primary centres and ensure equal opportunity to all. 8220;Apparently, they do not want interference in the process of admission. But as a government, we have the right to enactlegislations to regulate admissions,8221; he added.

Joshi said that even if Catholic schools are unaided educational institutions, it is their responsibility to implement the rules passed by the state government in letter and spirit. 8220;I am surprised over the objections raised by them. If all other English medium schools can implement the new rules, it is improper for the Catholic institutions to object to the new legislation, which is in the interest of the students,8221; Joshi remarked. He refuted the allegation that the legislation was against minority educational institutions, saying, it was introduced after seeking the opinion of the law and judiciary department. 8220;Though I personally feel that there is no violation of the Constitution, on the request of the Arch Bishop, I am getting their objection re-examined by legal experts,8221; Joshi added. Joshi said following recommendations made by the Ram Joshi Committee, a law to ban interviews for admission to pre-primary centres was enacted. It also provided thatonly local students will be admitted the schools and in the event the number of students is more, they will be selected via a lottery system, Joshi said. To another question, Joshi said though the Catholic educational institutions virtually refused to abide the law of the land, he was hopeful of resolving the stalement. 8220;I think we will find some way out and ensure that admissions for pre-primary centres were not delayed further,8221; he added.