National

Expedite Bill on free education, Joshi tells officials

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 9. His bid to make elementary education a Fundamental Right still a distant dream, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, Murli Manohar Joshi, has asked officials of the Ministry to expedite the preparation of the Free and Compulsory Education for Children Bill - the enabling legislation needed to operationalise the `right.'

The Minister issued instructions to this effect after a brainstorming session today in which suggestions on the draft Bill — posted on the Ministry's website — and inputs from politicians and educationists from across the country were discussed.

Some suggestions have been taken on board and the Bill is expected to be finalised shortly.

Though conscious of the fact that the Bill may not be passed in the current Lok Sabha — given the Government's inclination to go in for an early election — Dr. Joshi told officials that they should carry on with the exercise unmindful of whether or not there will be another Parliament session before the general election. "If there is another session, we will try to introduce it; so it should be ready,'' was the sum and substance of his instruction to officials.

For his part, the Minister, himself, will write to all State Chief Ministers in the coming days asking them to send their comments on the Bill that will in effect have to be implemented by the States.

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