<keyword id="1575" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="congress" source="Orion">Congress</keyword> leader <keyword id="5268" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rahul-gandhi" source="Orion">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> on Saturday promised free education in government schools and colleges in <keyword id="43945" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="chhattisgarh" source="Orion">Chhattisgarh</keyword> and Rs 4,000 a year for 'tendu' leaves collectors if his party retains power in the state. Addressing an election rally in the Bhanupratappur assembly constituency in Kanker district, Gandhi asked if Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> brings up 'OBC' (other backward class) in his speeches, then why he is scared of a caste census. Caste census will be conducted in the country if the Congress is voted to power (at the Centre), he said. Bhanupratappur is among the 20 constituencies that will see polling on November 7 in the first phase of the Chhattisgarh elections. The second phase will be held on November 17. "We are going to take a major step for you which we call 'KG to PG'. From KG (kindergarten) to PG (post-graduation), free education will be provided in government institutions to students (if Congress retains power in state). They will not have to pay a single penny," Gandhi said. Gandhi promised that if the Congress forms the government in the state after polls, then tendu leaves collectors will be given Rs 4,000 per year under the Rajiv Gandhi Protsahan Yojana. This is being seen as a major announcement from the Bhanupratappur seat, which is a part of the tribal-dominated Bastar region. Pitching for a caste census, he said, "Narendra Modi ji uses 'OBC' word in his every speech but why he is scared of the caste census...OBCs have to become aware as they are being ditched." Gandhi also announced that the Congress would conduct a caste census in the country if it is voted to power in Delhi (at the Centre). "We have already made this promise for Chhattisgarh," he said. The Congress MP targeted the BJP-led Centre and claimed that it works for the benefit of two-three industrialists. The Congress works in the interest of farmers, Dalits, labourers and Adivasis, he said. Key promises made by the Congress ahead of the last assembly polls have been fulfilled in Chhattisgarh, he claimed. Objecting to the use of 'vanvasi' in place of 'Adivasi' for tribals, he said its use by the BJP is an insult to Adivasis and an attack on their culture, history and language. During his speech, Gandhi stopped briefly and walked to the other corner of the stage carrying a bottle of water apparently after someone fainted on the ground. Gandhi returned to the dais and asked if the person was alright.

Rahul Gandhi promises free education in schools, colleges in Chhattisgarh if Cong retains power

Raipur, Union Education Minister Dharmendra <keyword id="19995115" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pradhan" source="keywords">Pradhan</keyword> has said students will get an option of appearing for 10th and 12th class board examinations twice a year from the academic session 2025-26. One of the objectives of the new National Education Policy (NEP), unveiled in 2020, is to reduce the academic stress on students, Pradhan said on Monday after launching the PM SHRI (Prime Minister <keyword id="19919010" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="schools" source="keywords">Schools</keyword> for Rising India) scheme in <keyword id="19897829" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="chhattisgarh" source="keywords">Chhattisgarh</keyword> under which 211 schools of the state will be upgraded. The function was held at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay auditorium in Raipur. Highlighting the concept of introducing 10 bag-less days in school every year, the minister stressed on engaging students with art, culture and sports, among other activities. On the Centre's plan under the NEP 2020, Pradhan said from the 2025-26 academic session, students will get an opportunity to appear for the 10th and 12th class board exams twice. According to the New Curriculum Framework (NCF) announced by the Ministry of Education in August last year, board examinations will be held at least twice a year to ensure students have enough time and opportunity to perform well. They will also get the option to retain the best score. Pradhan asked students present at the function if they were happy with the decision, and told them to keep the best marks obtained after appearing in both the exams. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji's vision through the NEP is to keep students stress-free, enrich them with quality education, keep students linked with culture and prepare them for the future. This is the formula for making India a developed country by 2047," he said. Pradhan slammed the previous Congress government in the state, saying education was not its priority, but the key sector has received utmost importance after the BJP came to power and new Chief Minister <keyword id="19906944" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vishnu-deo-sai" source="keywords">Vishnu Deo Sai</keyword> assumed office in December last year. In the first phase of the PM SHRI scheme, 211 schools (193 elementary level and 18 secondary ones) will be upgraded in Chhattisgarh on a 'hub and spoke' model by spending Rs 2 crore on each of them, the Union minister said. Under the model, the mentor institution, called the 'hub', will be centralised and have the responsibility of guiding the mentee institution through the secondary branches, the 'spoke', via services provided to the mentee for self-improvement. As per a request made by Chhattisgarh's School and Higher Education Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, more secondary and higher secondary schools will be covered under the scheme in its next phase, Pradhan said. He said India will bid to host the 2036 Olympics Games and he expects that 10 per cent of medals for the country in the quadrennial event should come from Chhattisgarh athletes and preparations for it should start from this year itself. Chief Minister <keyword id="19923716" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sai" source="keywords">Sai</keyword>, minister Agrawal and other senior officials were present at the function.

Students to get option of appearing in X and XII boards twice from 2025-26: Pradhan

<ul><li>Under the Right to Education Act, the Chhattisgarh government has announced free education to students till class 12th, Bhupesh Bhagel, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh said.</li><li>As of now, the state government schools provide free education till class 8th.</li><li>Along with that, the students will also have access to free books and school uniform.</li></ul>In a move to encourage education in India, under the Right to Education Act (RTE) the Chhattisgarh government has announced free education for students till class 12th in government schools across the country. The decision is likely to boost the education rate in the state, said State Minister Ravindra Choubey. Along with that, the students will have the benefit of free books and school uniforms. Chhattisgarh is one of the first states to implement <keyword id="7754198" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="free-education-till-12th">free education till 12th</keyword>. As of now, the state government schools provide free education till class 8th. <div type="twitter" handle="bhupeshbaghel" handlename="Bhupesh Baghel" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1074896393335177217/Sc_6Fy_Y_normal.jpg" favoritecount="738" retweetcount="177" status="आज महानदी भवन में आयोजित कैबिनेट की बैठक सफलतापूर्वक सम्पन्न हुई। इस दौरान अनेक महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय लिए गए। मंत्रि… https://t.co/G7Ps1fv27W" createdat="1560353481000" id="1138831160090349573"></div>

 Going further, the government is also planning to put a<a href="https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/state-editions/now-free-education-to-students-till-hssc.html"> fee regulatory committee</a> in place to keep a check on the fee structure of private schools, the State minister informed cabinet in the meeting on Wednesday. According to the Right to Education Act (RTE), the students get access to ‘free and compulsory’ elementary education (6-14 years).

Chhattisgarh announces free education till class 12 in government schools

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/32768355.cms" />NEW DELHI: Even as a "communal versus secular" battle promises to remain the main motif of the 2014 election, <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> has sought to counter criticism that it presided over a shrinking <keyword id="34412" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="economy">economy</keyword> by balancing its "welfare" instincts with an outreach to business. 
 Though Congress's political focus remains challenging <keyword id="14666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword>'s prime ministerial <keyword id="53129" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="candidate">candidate</keyword> <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> by painting him as a threat to the idea of a unified, equitable India, the party is also looking to undercut his growth pitch. 
 Framing Congress policies as truly inclusive, vice-president <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> said, "The country can grow by a firm partnership between business and poor. It cannot grow either by neglecting business or the poor." 
 
The manifesto, which bears a strong imprint of Rahul's thinking, promises a strong set of rights-based initiatives intended to benefit a "sandwiched" class of those between the poverty line and the middle class. 
 
Rahul has consistently focused on this section, estimated by his backroom to number 70 crore, and the manifesto promised to bring these "skilled hands" into the middle class through a 15-point agenda. 
 
Addressing the interests of a class that is not-rich, not-middle class, not-BPL (NRMB) can help Congress counter caste and identity based politics of its rivals in many states, party sources contended. 
 
The document released on Wednesday looks to offer a "complementarity" between business and beneficiaries of the welfare schemes by arguing that programmes like homestead and health security will spur demand. 
 
Just the health sector could see an addition of 60 lakh jobs while Congress promised to frame policies that can deliver 10 crore jobs – a clear attempt to counter the damaging criticism that UPA policies delivered jobless growth. 
 
The lack of specific initiatives — apart from pledges such as fixing retrospective tax — to encourage foreign investment reflects a belief that if systems work in a fair and efficient manner, capital is bound to follow. 
 
There are other shifts from past UPA policy that point to the ongoing change of guard in Congress with the manifesto's political and governance reforms underlining Rahul's oft-repeated view that rent seeking and influence peddling is the bane. 
 Though the proposals cannot wish away the negative impact of a series of corruption scandals, Rahul chose to defend the 'primaries' experiment in choosing <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword> candidates saying it was an idea well worth the effort. 
 
His argument that making a system more transparent can make it that much harder for bribe-giving and lobbying to influence decisions has been at best partially successful. But either way, Congress is clearly committed to Rahul's way. 
 
The balancing act between welfare and growth seeks to retain the support of those likely to benefit from schemes like rural employment and food security and counter Modi's sharp criticism that corruption, shrinking employment and stalled businesses meant both the poor and the middle class lost out. 
 
The rebalancing did not, however, see any dilution of Congress's focus in a rights-based approach that party leaders say is intended to "give the deserving their due" and this means health cover including free medicines, homestead security and pensions. There is also the promise to improve education through a greater role of private institutions. 
 
Though Rahul said he recognizes the need for business to prosper to fund welfare schemes, the manifesto clearly does not see the rights as "handouts" but feels they level the playing field for the disadvantaged. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/32768205.cms" /> 
 The manifesto slammed the "retroactive <keyword id="6383566" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Taxation">taxation</keyword>" while promising to pump in one trillion dollars in infrastructure in ten years and bringing in flexible labour policy to boost competitiveness. It also lays stress on job creation and manufacturing. 
 
"The elections are not just about good work and economic development. For Congress, this election is to safeguard the constitutional framework that the freedom fighters bequeathed to us…we don't turn man against man," she said. 
 The Congress trinity of <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword> <keyword id="6359397" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Manmohan-Singh">Manmohan Singh</keyword>, <keyword id="689" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sonia-Gandhi">Sonia Gandhi</keyword> and Rahul singled out Modi for sharp attack. Rahul backed Singh's earlier description that Modi would be a disastrous for India as a PM and added that he represented an ideology that would hurt the country. 
 Congress faces strong anti-incumbency after a decade in power, co<keyword id="6355553" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="MP">mp</keyword>ounded by the slips on the graft-and-growth fronts that have put its chances with the middle-classes under a cloud. The failure in the largely rural states of MP, <keyword id="43945" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Chhattisgarh">Chhattisgarh</keyword> and Rajasthan in the December elections underlined the limitations of the appeal of UPA's flagship schemes. 
 
The attack on BJP and Modi for "communalism" seeks to address the vast electorate of Muslims and minorities who are likely to polarise against the BJP with Modi as mascot. There seems a realization among the Congress strategists that because of his image, Modi is succeeding in baiting the Hindu votes despite talking about development in his rallies. 
 
The bid to corner the saffron camp aims as much to corner it with a large section of the electorate as also to deepen the "secular" deterrent for the regional parties mulling partnership with BJP. 
 
Times View 
 
The Times of India Manifesto ('MANIFESTOI', published on March 14) had made a strong case for fiscally responsible and socially progressive governance. The Congress manifesto is broadly in line with our philosophy, although it is somewhat skimpy on details. It calls for accelerated growth and financial prudence; speedy introduction of GST; administrative, legal and judicial reforms, flexible labour laws; 'zero aversion' to foreign investment; decriminalization of consensual gay sex; greater spending on health and education; creation of a business-enabling environment. All of this, and more, was contained in the TOI Manifesto. Question is, how much of it will the Congress be able to actually implement? After all, it had a decade to do it. 
 
While agreeing with the overall thrust of the manifesto, it should be pointed out that what Congress calls a 'rights- based approach' can be rendered meaningless by overreach. We have no quarrel with the general proposition that many of the services government provides to citizens should be treated as their due rather than a favour. Indeed, it is an important change in the mindset of those in 'power'. However, we must not make the mistake of assuming that all of India's problems – among them the fact that not everybody gets their roti, kapda and makaan – can be legislated away by giving people a 'right' to them. Guaranteeing the right to health, for instance, is a far cry from actually delivering quality, affordable healthcare to 1.2 billion. 
 
<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/specials/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/TOI-manifesto-An-agenda-for-the-new-government/articleshow/31973967.cms">READ ALSO: TOI manifesto — An agenda for the new government</a>

Congress Manifesto Takes On Modi, Balances Talk Of Welfare With Outreach To India Inc

<ul><li>The Chief Minister of Delhi said that the Aam Aadmi Party campaign will be similar to that in Delhi, where he had promised including free electricity, world-class schools and hospitals. </li><li>AAP has fought elections in multiple states since its birth in 2012 but its successes have been limited to Delhi. </li><li>Kejriwal said that the development of Uttar Pradesh is only held back by dirty politics and corrupt leaders there, and AAP will fix that.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/">Check out the latest news and updates on Business Insider.</a> </li></ul>Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister <keyword id="260213" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arvind-Kejriwal">Arvind Kejriwal</keyword>, in a virtual press conference today, announced that the party would fight Uttar Pradesh (UP) state legislative assembly elections in 2022. UP is India’s largest state by population⁠— and politically, the most significant one that has sent 9 of the 14 Prime Ministers that India has had so far⁠— currently governed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kejriwal said that his party has been successful in forming three governments in the past 8 years in Delhi and has also emerged as the principal opposition in Punjab. <div type="twitter" handle="ArvindKejriwal" handlename="Arvind Kejriwal" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/945853608389574656/REH_LpUJ_normal.jpg" favoritecount="2566" retweetcount="570" status="आम आदमी पार्टी UP में 2022 के विधान सभा चुनाव लड़ेगी | LIVE https://t.co/sterQYqssj" createdat="1608013880000" id="1338733362471571456"></div> AAP has a strong base in Delhi and contested elections in Punjab, Goa, Gujarat in 2017, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan in 2018 and Odisha, Telangana, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand in 2019. The party has also contested for Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019. However, the party’s successes have been limited to Delhi. Why do the people of UP have to travel to Delhi from districts across Uttar Pradesh for healthcare, education and basic amenities. “Political parties in Uttar Pradesh stabbed people in the back. Politics in the state lacks honesty of intent,” the Kejriwal said. Indeed, for all its political significance over the decades, UP ranks poorly, among all states in India, on most metrics like economy, health services and education. Kejriwal said that AAP’s campaign in UP would be similar to the one in Delhi where it promised free electricity, world-class schools and hospitals. A similar <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/government-announcing-freebies-is-an-election-stunt-alleges-bjp/article28789073.ece">statement </a>in the past had brought Kejriwal severe criticism ahead of the 2019 general election. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/interview-home-recipes-that-are-set-for-a-7-million-ipo-mrs-bectors-food-is-no-cookie-cutter/articleshow/79721783.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink"> INTERVIEW: Home recipes that are set for a $73 million IPO⁠— Mrs Bector’s Food is no cookie cutter</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/gmail-youtube-google-docs-crash-for-users-across-the-world/articleshow/79720225.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">YouTube, Gmail, Google Meet, Google Docs and Play Store restored for some users as others still face outage</a>

Arvind Kejriwal says Aam Aadmi Party will contest UP Assembly polls in 2022

The Chhattisgarh government has said schools in the state will continue to remain closed till further orders in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, a move welcomed by many parents. As per the Centre's guidelines, state governments can take decision about reopening of schools after October 15. However, the Chhattisgarh cabinet on Thursday decided that in view of the pandemic situation in the state, schools will continue to remain shut. Hailing the move, Chhattisgarh Parents' Association (CPA), a state-level body, has demanded that the central and state governments declare this academic session as "zero year" for students till Class 8 and promote them to the next class. "Safety of children is the priority of every parent and sending them to school in the present peak situation of the virus outbreak will put their life at risk," CPA president Kristopher Paul told . "The government should declare the 2020-21 academic session as zero year for classes from nursery till 8 and promote the students to the next class," said Paul, whose son is in Class 6 in a private school in Rajnandgaon town. He said students of classes 9 to 12 should be given assignments and projects for their final evaluation, but schools should also not be opened for them till the COVID-19 situation is under control. Echoing similar views, Pradip Dongre, a sub-engineer with the irrigation department in Dantewada, said the current situation is not conducive for physical classes. "Why would parents like to allow their children to go out and expose themselves to the virus? It would be difficult for a school to identify which child's family members are infected by COVID-19," he said. Dongre said his son and daughter, who are in Class 8 and 12, respectively, are comfortable with online classes. Till Saturday, the state reported 1,40,258 COVID-19 cases and of these, over 80,000 cases were detected in the last one month. Though parents remain concerned, students of senior classes are disappointed with prolonged closure of schools as they are finding it difficult to understand topics clearly online due to internet connectivity issues. Shatabdi Rai, a Class 11 student of Career Public School in Korba, said online classes have changed the style of learning. "It is hard to understand topics clearly and get our doubts resolved online. Poor network is also an issue. Online classes cannot match normal classroom learning," she said. Annu Dubey, a Class 12 student of Maitri Vidya Niketan school at Bhilai (Durg district), said she not only misses seeing her friends, but also school sports. "I miss my friends and being in school as it is my last year of school education. We are becoming used to virtual classes, but they are not good as they create confusion a lot of times. Everyone starts asking questions together or sometimes internet connectivity gets disrupted," she said. In the wake of the pandemic, many government and private schools in the state have undertaken online classes to continue with the academic session. The state government's online academic portal, called 'Padhai Tuhar Duar', (learning at your doorstep), has proved beneficial for students and is being appreciated across the country, a government statement said on Friday. The portal was launched in the early stage of the nationwide lockdown to provide hassle-free and non-stop learning to children, it said. Till now, 39.57 lakh online classes have been successfully conducted by 1.43 lakh teachers, imparting education to 3.77 lakh children via smartphones, it said. Offline classes are also being conducted under the Padhai Tuhar Para (learning at your locality) initiative in remote and forested regions, which lack internet connectivity. As part of the initiative, 23,643 teachers are helping over 7.48 students via 35,982 centres, the release said. The offline classes are being conducted mostly in villages in collaboration with locals, it added.

You Searched For "chhattisgarh free education" and got 6 results

Rahul Gandhi promises free education in schools, colleges in Chhattisgarh if Cong retains power

PTI

Students to get option of appearing in X and XII boards twice from 2025-26: Pradhan

PTI

Chhattisgarh announces free education till class 12 in government schools

Prerna Sindwani

Congress Manifesto Takes On Modi, Balances Talk Of Welfare With Outreach To India Inc

times Of India

Arvind Kejriwal says Aam Aadmi Party will contest UP Assembly polls in 2022

BI India Bureau

Schools in Chattisgarh to remain shut until further notice

PTI