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Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress says BJP government plans to close schools and cut teaching jobs in Chhattisgarh
Congress on Monday alleged that the BJP govt plans to shut down 10,000 schools and eliminate approximately 45,000 teaching posts RAIPUR: Despite the Chhattisgarh govt's repeated claim that schools will not close under ongoing rationalisation, the Congress on Monday alleged that the BJP govt plans to shut down 10,000 schools and eliminate approximately 45,000 teaching posts. Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) President Deepak Baij alleged that the rationalisation will lead to a shortage of schools in remote areas, particularly in Bastar, Surguja, and Jashpur. Baij refuted the govt's claims, calling them a "lie". He reminded reporters that during the Assembly elections, the state govt claimed 58,000 teaching positions were vacant. While the Assembly announced 35,000 posts would be filled and the current year's budget mentioned recruitment for 20,000 teachers, Baij asserted that 45,000 posts are being eliminated to avoid these recruitments. "When there are no vacant positions, how will they recruit?" Baij questioned, terming the rationalisation process as "anti-education" and "anti-employment". He warned that closing 10,000 schools will also result in the loss of jobs for thousands of cooks, watchmen, and sweepers. The Congress will launch a grassroots movement against this decision, with details on protests in all districts and blocks to be announced shortly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Fertiliser, seed shortage raised Baij also raised concerns about a severe shortage of fertilisers and seeds in cooperative societies across the state due to govt negligence. He pointed out that while 3 lakh metric tonnes of DAP are required this year, only 81,000 metric tonnes are currently available. The monsoon has arrived, and Baij stressed that fertilisers should have already reached the societies, leaving farmers worried. He alleged that the govt does not want farmers to achieve a full harvest and is intentionally withholding supplies to reduce paddy procurement. Paddy MSP hike called inadequate Meanwhile, CPCC Communication Department head Sushil Anand Shukla criticised the Union govt's recent increase of Rs 69 in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy, calling it "inadequate." Shukla highlighted that last year, paddy MSP increased by 5.36%, rising by Rs 117 from Rs 2,183 to Rs 2,300 per quintal. This year's mere 3% increase is too low, considering the inflation rate is around 8%.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
State Cong's 40-km ‘padyatra' to protest ‘unjust privatisation' of Bastar's resources
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee will organise a 40-km 'Nyay Padyatra' from Kirandul to Dantewada from May 26 to 29, to protest against the alleged unjust privatisation of state's water, forests, land, and mineral resources. The march, led by Pradesh Congress president Deepak Baij, will culminate in a gherao of the Dantewada Collectorate on the final day. The Congress said that since the BJP govt came to power, Chhattisgarh's resources are being handed over to private entities, with several cases of illegal mining surfacing. The party fears more such incidents in the future and is organising the padyatra to highlight these concerns. Pradesh Congress president Deepak Baij said the Vishnu Deo Sai govt has again turned Chhattisgarh into a 'fodder ground for corporate houses'. He alleged that four major iron ore mines in Bastar have been leased to private capitalists. Of these, the Bailadila 1A and Bailadila 1B mines have been leased to ArcelorMittal for 50 years, while the Bailadila 1C mine has been given to Rungta Steel for the same period. Additionally, the Hahaladi mine in Kanker district has been leased to Sagar Stone for 50 years. Baij further claimed that this is just the beginning, and preparations are underway to hand over all of Bastar's valuable mineral wealth to the Adani Group, with a 'red carpet' being laid out for them in Bastar.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress to march against ‘privatisation' of Bastar's resources, targets BJP govt
Representational image RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee will organise a 40-km 'Nyay Padyatra' from Kirandul to Dantewada from May 26 to 29 to protest against the alleged privatisation of Chhattisgarh's water, forests, land, and mineral resources. The march, led by Pradesh Congress President Deepak Baij, will culminate in a gherao of the Dantewada Collectorate on the final day. The Congress stated that since the BJP govt came to power, Chhattisgarh's resources are being handed over to private entities, with several cases of illegal mining surfacing. The party fears more such incidents in the future and is organising the padyatra to highlight these concerns. Pradesh Congress President Deepak Baij said the Vishnu Deo Sai govt again turned Chhattisgarh into a "fodder ground for corporate houses". He alleged that four major iron ore mines in Bastar were leased to private capitalists. Of these, the Bailadila 1A and Bailadila 1B mines were leased to ArcelorMittal for 50 years, while the Bailadila 1C mine was given to Rungta Steel for the same period. Additionally, the Hahaladi mine in Kanker district was leased to Sagar Stone for 50 years. Baij further claimed that this is just the beginning, and preparations are underway to hand over all of Bastar's valuable mineral wealth to the Adani Group, with a "red carpet" being laid out for them in Bastar.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong opposes new rationalisation policy for teachers, alleges school closures
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Congress has opposed the state govt's new rationalisation policy for teachers, alleging it will lead to the closure of nearly 5,000 schools and dismantle the public education system. State Congress President Deepak Baij claimed that tribal areas in Bastar and Surguja would be severely affected. Baij raised concerns over the new setup, which counts headmasters in primary and middle schools as teaching staff, alongside a declared teacher-student ratio of 1:30 for primary schools and 1:35 for middle schools. He questioned how two teachers could cover 18 subjects in primary schools, or a headmaster and one teacher manage 18 classes for 60 students in middle schools, especially with additional duties like mid-day meal arrangements and official correspondence. Congress leader warned that school closures would impact not only teachers but also thousands of cooks, helpers, and women from self-help groups involved in mid-day meal preparation, leading to a livelihood crisis. He also stated that the reduction in minimum teaching positions across all school levels would limit opportunities for new teacher recruitments, thereby affecting education quality. Baij alleged that the Sai govt is conspiring to benefit private educational institutions by dismantling the public education system. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like San Salvador: Amazon CFD : Calcula cuánto podrías ganar invirtiendo solo $100 Market Sunny Reservar Ahora Undo He pointed out that govt data indicates 5,484 schools have one teacher each, and 297 schools have no teachers at all. He further claimed that an announcement of 33,000 teacher recruitments in the assembly was "maliciously halted". The Chhattisgarh Education Department has addressed concerns regarding the rationalisation of schools, clarifying that no schools will be closed, nor will any teaching positions be abolished. The department stated that the rationalisation process adheres to the Right to Education Act and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming for a fair distribution of teachers across schools. The Education Department refuted claims that 5,000 lecturers would become surplus due to a period-based calculation. The department clarified that positions in high schools and higher secondary schools are approved based on subjects. The department also labelled claims of 43,849 teaching positions being abolished as factually incorrect. It stated that based on calculations, only 5,370 teachers (3,608 assistant teachers at the primary level and 1,762 middle school teachers) were identified as surplus in proportion to student enrolment. These teachers will only be transferred to other schools. No positions are being abolished; all sanctioned posts will be kept for future use if student numbers increase. The Education Department clarified that rationalisation is not merely an administrative process. Its core objectives are to ensure quality education, provide teachers to schools in need, and make the education system more equitable. The department stated that this initiative is a firm and forward-looking step towards strengthening educational infrastructure in Chhattisgarh and providing adequate academic resources to students.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Commission walk a way to siphon money; build flyover'
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Congress has criticised the state govt's decision to reconstruct the 'controversial' skywalk in the state capital, a day after the govt announced it would resume work on the unfinished project. The Opposition has stated that instead of spending money on the incomplete skywalk, the govt should construct a flyover in line with public demand. State Congress President Deepak Baij launched an attack on the BJP and former minister Rajesh Munat over the skywalk. He said, "This is not a skywalk, it's a commission walk. The number of pedestrians in the city is steadily decreasing. What's needed is a flyover, not a skywalk. This was merely a means to siphon off money." City's traffic is increasing and it needs a flyover, not a skywalk, Baij told TOI. "A flyover would help address current and future traffic problems effectively. The city's residents, including intellectuals, traders, doctors, and people from all walks of life were opposed to the skywalk project from the beginning. Now that the govt has decided to rebuild the incomplete skywalk, the public is once again reacting negatively. The govt should reconsider its decision and plan to construct a flyover in line with the city's future needs," said Congress spokesperson Dhananjay Singh Thakur on the matter. The spokesperson said the initial tender for the skywalk was issued for approximately Rs 37 crore. Just one and a half months after construction began, the tender amount was increased, eventually reaching around Rs 67 crore. Meanwhile, Raipur West MLA Rajesh Munat criticised the Congress party, accusing them of obstructing development work during their regime. He held the previous Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress govt responsible for any increase in the skywalk project's cost. During their tenure, the previous Congress govt had cited allegations of procedural irregularities and concerns over its utility, structural integrity. Subsequent investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) were initiated to examine these issues. A more recent inspection by PWD officials revealed that ACP sheets, aluminium frames, and divider railings have been stolen from several places on the bridge. The steel and nut bolts installed in the bridge are intact. The work on welding, painting, flooring, hood, and flooring fixing is incomplete. Several parts have also rusted due to rain and heat.
