The Hindu : National : Ministry to revise draft law on right to education

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Wednesday, Nov 07, 2007
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Ministry to revise draft law on right to education

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry will revise the draft legislation proposed to operationalise the Fundamental Right to Education (RTE) to children in the 6-14 age group.

This was decided on Tuesday at a meeting of the High-Level Group (HLG) set up by the Prime Minister to iron out the rough spots that have delayed a decision on this for over five years.

The two issues of concern raised by members pertained to litigation and transfer of funds.

On litigation, the members wanted to know who would bear the burden as the Fundamental Right is justiciable. While the Ministry’s contention is that the State government concerned would be held accountable for any violation, members insisted on greater clarity in the draft.

As for transfer of funds, members wanted the provisions to be fine-tuned to rid the legislation of any ambiguity as education is a concurrent subject.

In view of the doubts raised, HRD Minister Arjun Singh – who heads the HLG – offered to revise the legislation.

Other members of the HLG are Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and Prime Minister’s Economic Adviser C. Rangarajan.

This is the first time the HLG met after the Ministry gave up its proposal to have a model legislation to operationalise the RTE.

States reject suggestion

Earlier, the Ministry circulated the model legislation to States with the suggestion that they draw up their own laws as per the parameters suggested by the Centre. However, this was rejected by most States which took the plea that RTE was a Central mandate and the Centre should not abdicate its responsibility.

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