BJP walks out from UP House over 'non-compliance' with RTE

BJP today staged a walkout from the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly against non-admission of poor and underprivileged students in public schools under the Right to Education Act.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, BJP member Radha Mohan Agarwal said as per the RTE guidelines by the Centre, 25 percent seats would be reserved for children from poor and underprivileged sections.

However, under its guidelines the UP government has exempted public schools, he alleged.

Citing the example of Gorakhpur, he said only 63 such students got admission in public schools in the city last year.

He demanded stern action against officials who prepared the guidelines.

BJP Legislature party leader Suresh Khanna alleged the government was not sensitive to poor and does not want their children to study in good schools.

The BJP members later walked out of the House.

Later, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Azam Khan said the government was sensitive about the issue.

Earlier, the BJP members raised the issue of depleting water level and requested the government to provide at least 200 hand-pumps to every member's constituency.

In response, Khan said there would be no shortage of drinking water and it would be supplied through tankers wherever required.

Meanwhile, the BSP members raised the issue of killing of a Dalit employee of Ambedkar University in Agra on February 13 and demanded a compensation of Rs 20 lakh.

Khan said it was an unfortunate incident and he would talk to the Chief Minister in this regard.