SHARING A POINT: TNCC president M. Krishnasswamy with Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram at the 104th birth anniversary celebration of Kamaraj at Tirupattur in Vellore district. — Photo: S. S. KUMAR

TIRUPATTUR: Action will be taken against bank managers refusing to sanction education loan to eligible students for pursuing higher studies or demanding surety, Union Finance Minister P.Chidambaram said on Sunday.

Participating in the 104th birth anniversary celebrations of Kamaraj organised by the Kamaraj Centenary Trust at Ramakrishna Higher Secondary School here, he said clear instructions had been issued to banks. Students had the option of paying back the loan after getting a job.

He would scrutinise and resolve in 10 days, all complaints against managers refusing the loan. He pointed out that a total of two lakh students had got education loan from banks spread across the country. It was clear they were eager to pursue higher education. This had to be encouraged.

Onus on States

Saying it was the responsibility of State governments to reduce the dropout rate in schools, Mr. Chidambaram said at present it was over 40 per cent. Over three lakh students were out of schools and employed in cracker and beedi units.

Education was a basic right of all children who had completed five years of age. Improving the infrastructure would be meaningless unless all the children were made to enrol in school.

He also stressed the need to improve the quality of education.

Noting that Periyar, Annadurai and Kamaraj were respected and continued to live in the hearts of Tamil people, he said the main reason was they had led a selfless and simple life and wholeheartedly dedicated themselves to people's welfare.

Mr. Chidambaram said Kamaraj played a significant role on the education front. During his nine years as Chief Minister, 12,000 schools were opened throughout the State.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnasswamy said it was during Kamaraj's rule that Tamil Nadu made giant strides in various sectors.

He was responsible for building dams and setting up major factories including ICF and BHEL. Tirupattur MLA T.K. Raja; Vellore MLA C. Gnanasekaran; president, Rotary Club of Tirupattur, Yelagiri Selvam and Rotarian B. Ganeshmal spoke.

Earlier, uniforms and notebooks were distributed to school students.

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