Bengal objects to some aspects of Right to Education ACT

With the Right to Education law becoming operational, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has written to the HRD ministry raising objection to some aspects of the statute.

School Education Minister Partha Dey said the chief minister "has written to Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal raising objection to certain provisions."

According to Dey, the state government is against the provision that while the policies and directives would be given by the Centre, the onus of the implementation would be entirely on the state.

The government also pointed out that while the statute provides for "adequate infrastructure for the schools, funds for it may not be available".

Dey said yesterday that the government does not have adequate control over private schools to compel them reserve quota of seats as laid down.

"We are, however, committed to implementing the positive provisions of the statute," Dey said.

The Right to Education law makes it obligatory on part of state governments and local bodies to ensure that every child, in the age group of 6-14, gets education in a school in the neighbourhood.