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Baby's plea to Church leaders

Staff Reporter

Adhere to "fair, transparent and non-exploitative" methods

Kozhikode: Reacting to the pastoral letter read out in churches and mass prayers conducted in Kochi on Sunday against the professional colleges Act, Education Minister M.A. Baby has said that the priests and religious leaders advocating the cause of the self-financing professional colleges should also see whether these institutions have adhered to the principle of "fair, transparent and non-exploitative" method.

Speaking at a function in connection with the inauguration of the new buildings at Government Engineering College, West Hill, on Monday, Mr. Baby said he had not come across the pastoral letter but had read the contents published in various newspapers.

"What is said in the pastoral letter was untrue and ambiguous," he said.

He said that the Left Democratic Front Government would not touch the schools and colleges that functioned on the church premises. At the same time, it would not allow these educational institutions to collect capitation fees.

"We are implementing the orders of the Supreme Court in this regard. And, the State Government has the constitutional liability to safeguard the interests of the public," Mr. Baby said.

During his 20-minute speech, the Education Minister looked more or less philosophical quoting Mahatma Gandhi and Jesus Christ to stress his point. "Work is worship. And, the LDF was striving to work hard for the benefit of the poor sections of society."

Mr. Baby also said he was choosing words carefully while referring to the pastoral letter. The priority of the education sector was "merit and social justice." But managements were giving a different colour to the issue. "They know not what they are doing," he said.

He said the Government was committed to protecting the interests of the minority communities. It would never do anything to infringe upon their rights.

"But the Government also believes that none will protect the vested interests in the name of minorities."

He said regulation was necessary for controlling the self-financial professional colleges. The Government was ready for any consensus and the doors were open for discussions.

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