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Thursday, Jul 17, 2008
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Curriculum panel to act on report

Special Correspondent

Modifications to improve content of Class VII Social Science textbook: VS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said here on Wednesday that the curriculum committee would take action on the report of the expert committee set up by the government to examine the Social Science textbook of Class VII.

Talking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said the expert committee had recommended modification of the controversial portions of the textbook. The content was to be improved so that it would be on a par with NCERT textbooks.

“The curriculum committee would examine the recommendations and take necessary action,” he said

Mr. Achuthanandan said that besides action on the expert committee’s report, he had promised the Opposition that the curriculum committee would consider suggestions of the expert committee set up by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

However, the Opposition was adamant on its demand for withdrawal of the textbook and had declined to call off its hunger strike. The Chief Minister said that he had taken the lead in holding talks with the leaders of the Opposition to facilitate ending of the fast.

Earlier, the government had consented to a discussion of the issue in the Assembly, as it wanted to settle the issue amicably. It also promised to make amends based on the report of the committee.

Asked about the refusal of Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to resign from his post, Mr. Achuthanandan said that the party would not intervene in the matter. The Speaker himself could decide such issues. It did not want to raise any controversy over the Speaker’s Office. He said the outcome of the confidence motion would depend on the success of the Congress in influencing MPs belonging to other parties. The nuclear deal would compromise the country’s independence and sovereignty.

He said the government had settled the issues related to acquisition of land for providing rail and road connectivity for the Vallarpadam project amicably on Tuesday.

The Cabinet decided to acquire land needed for the Muthalapozhi fishing harbour (1.5 acres) on a fast track basis.

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