No religious education in Mewat residential schools: Raj govt

Rajasthan government today refuted claims of imparting 'dharmik shiksha' (religious education) in residential schools of Mewat region in the state.
Minister of State for Education Vasudeo Devnani assured the House that no religious education was provided in any of these schools in Mewat, adding that if there was any complaint, it would be probed.
"However, the girl students were taught Urdu language in a few Mewat schools," Devnani said during the Budget Session of the Assembly today.
A number of BJP MLAs including Ramhet Singh Yadav, Dharmpal and Jairam Yadav, had during the Question Hour alleged that NGOs running these residential schools during the previous Congress regime had manipulated funds and have been imparting religious education.

"Fifty per cent admissions were reserved for students of Mewat region (Alwar, Bharatpur and Dholpur districts) and remaining 50 per cent for SC/ST/OBC/ and general candidates on priority basis," the minister told the House.
"There are 324 girl students from class 6 to 8 in the residential schools of Mewat region. Out of budgetary support of Rs 207 lakh in the current fiscal year, so far only Rs 58 lakh was utilised," he said.
Meanwhile, to a question of BJP legislator M L Gupta, Urban Development, Housing and Local Self Government, RPS Shekhawat said, "The previous Congress government had issued permission worth Rs 6,000 cr for civil works through Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) without any budgetary allocation, and this was the main reason for mismanagement of works in the state capital."

"The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has been shifted out of the ambit of JDA to maintain transparency so that quality and quantity of road works be improved," the minister said.