Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Manik Sarkar has expressed displeasure over State government’s decision to handover midday meal programme to private hands. He also objected to a plan to privatise a few remotely located government schools on plea of their improper functioning.
In a letter, Mr. Sarkar urged Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb to reverse the decisions to safeguard interest of the students guaranteed by the Constitution of India. He contended that the State government should not shy away from discharging its responsibilities.
Mr. Sarkar criticised the decisions, stating that Tripura never had any instance of involvement of private parties concerning government administered education matters and the decisions of the incumbent government undermined the very concept of ‘education for all’.
The CPI(M) veteran also cautioned the State government that handing over of midday meal programme to private entities would take away employment of numerous people. Moreover the move may also affect local traders and suppliers who are connected with the midday meal programme, he said.
