Latest news with #Pardeshi
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
10k+ CG schools rationalised; Will protest: Teachers' body
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh govt completed the rationalisation of 10,463 govt schools across the state with the objective of reducing school dropouts and ensuring quality education. Amidst the proposed Mantralaya gherao by the Shaley Shikshak Sangh Chhattisgarh and its affiliated organisations in protest against certain aspects of the rationalisation process on Wednesday, education department secretary Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi told reporters that rationalisation is a continuous process and should be carried out at regular intervals, as mandated by the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. The Shikshak Sangh has said that the school education department should listen to the suggestions of teachers as well and should involve them more in the process which has great impact on their lives. This would in turn also help in improving the quality of education in the state as the solutions can then be implemented on ground more effectively, they maintained. Chhattisgarh Shaley Shikshak Sangh spokesperson Dharmesh Sharma told TOI that they will go ahead with their planned Mantralaya gherao on Wednesday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The education department maintained that rationalisation is overdue and would be beneficial for the state. "Chhattisgarh last undertook a rationalisation exercise about ten years ago, which is a considerable gap, while most states in India have been doing this regularly," the education department secretary said, asserting that the policy focuses solely on improving the quality of education, ensuring equitable distribution of teachers, and reducing dropout rates. He also stated that there is some misinformation among certain groups regarding the policy. "We completed the first phase of rationalisation, covering 10,463 schools, including 10,297 located on the same campuses — accounting for 98% of the total. Swami Atmanand Schools have not been included in this phase, and no decision has yet been taken regarding PMSHRI schools," Pardeshi said. Of the rationalised schools, 5,849 are from the E-cadre and 4,614 from the T-cadre. Key statistics from the rationalisation reveal that it includes 212 primary schools without any teachers, 6,872 primary schools with only one teacher, 48 upper primary schools without teachers, 255 upper primary schools with only one teacher each, and 211 schools without students. Conversely, eight primary schools with 15 or more teachers have been rationalised. Across the state, 17,000 middle schools have a pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) below 20:1. In urban areas, 527 schools have a PTR below 10:1, 1,106 have a PTR between 11–20, and 837 fall between 21–30. The PTR in Chhattisgarh is better than the national average but it is uneven across the state. Pardeshi added, "133 rural schools within a one-kilometre radius and 33 urban schools within a 500-metre radius have also been rationalised." He explained that the initiative will help redeploy surplus teachers to schools with none or only one teacher, thereby improving education quality. It will also help balance staffing needs across schools and reduce administrative costs, allowing for more investment in infrastructure. He further said that consolidating schools within the same premises will reduce dropout rates and improve student retention. This initiative supports the 'cluster school' model outlined in the NEP, which envisions integrated campuses providing education from primary to higher secondary levels. Pardeshi clarified that the exercise involved only administrative coordination — no posts were abolished. CM Vishnu Deo Sai lauded the rationalisation initiative, stating that it marks a significant step forward for the state's education system. He noted that it will facilitate better use of teaching resources and provide students with consistent access to quality education. He added that integrating various school levels within the same campus would be administratively efficient, enhance continuity in education, and address dropout concerns.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh rationalises 10,463 schools, outperforms national average in PTR across all school levels
RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government has completed the rationalisation of 10,463 government schools across the state with the objective of reducing school dropouts and ensuring quality education. Amidst the proposed Mantralaya gherao by the Shaley Shikshak Sangh Chhattisgarh and its affiliated organisations in protest against certain aspects of the school rationalisation process on Wednesday, Education Department Secretary Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi told reporters that rationalisation is a continuous process and should be carried out at regular intervals, as mandated by the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. 'Chhattisgarh last undertook a rationalisation exercise about ten years ago, which is a considerable gap, while most states in India have been doing this regularly,' he said, asserting that the policy focuses solely on improving the quality of education, ensuring equitable distribution of teachers, and reducing dropout rates. He also stated that there is some misinformation among certain groups regarding the policy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs กับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้ | เรียนรู้เพิ่มเติม IC Markets สมัคร Undo 'We have completed the first phase of rationalisation, covering 10,463 schools, including 10,297 located on the same campuses — accounting for 98% of the total. Swami Atmanand Schools have not been included in this phase, and no decision has yet been taken regarding PMSHRI schools,' Pardeshi said. Of the rationalised schools, 5,849 are from the E-cadre and 4,614 from the T-cadre. The move aligns with the objectives of NEP 2020 and the RTE Act 2009 and is aimed at ensuring optimal utilisation of academic resources. Key statistics from the rationalisation reveal that it includes 212 primary schools without any teachers, 6,872 primary schools with only one teacher, 48 upper primary schools without teachers, 255 upper primary schools with only one teacher each, and 211 schools without students. Conversely, eight primary schools with 15 or more teachers have been rationalised. There are 61 primary schools with 10–15 teachers each, 749 with 6–9 teachers each, nine upper primary schools with 15 or more teachers, 90 with 10–14 teachers, and 1,641 with 6–9 teachers. Across the state, 17,000 middle schools have a pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) below 1:20. In urban areas, 527 schools have a PTR below 1:10, 1,106 have a PTR between 11–20, and 837 fall between 21–30. Pardeshi added, 'Of the rationalised schools, 10,297 operate on the same premises. Additionally, 133 rural schools within a one-kilometre radius and 33 urban schools within a 500-metre radius have also been rationalised.' He explained that the initiative will help redeploy surplus teachers to schools with none or only one teacher, thereby improving education quality. It will also help balance staffing needs across schools and reduce administrative costs, allowing for more investment in infrastructure. He further stated that consolidating schools within the same premises will reduce dropout rates and improve student retention. Rationalisation will eliminate the need for repeated admissions, making the educational journey smoother. It will also enable the development and sharing of improved infrastructure, including libraries, computer labs, science labs, and sports facilities. This initiative supports the "cluster school" model outlined in the NEP, which envisions integrated campuses providing education from primary to higher secondary levels. Pardeshi clarified that the exercise involved only administrative coordination — no posts have been abolished. The initiative ensures fair distribution of teachers and improved access to quality education while adhering to the student-teacher ratio norms prescribed under the RTE Act. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has lauded the rationalisation initiative, stating that it marks a significant step forward for the state's education system. He noted that it will facilitate better use of teaching resources and provide students with consistent access to quality education. He further said that integrating various school levels within the same campus would be administratively efficient, enhance continuity in education, and address dropout concerns. This would contribute to a more effective learning environment and boost student confidence. The Chief Minister added that this step, in line with the NEP 2020, will be a milestone in Chhattisgarh's journey towards becoming a leading state in education. Chhattisgarh Shaley Shikshak Sangh spokesperson Dharmesh Sharma told TOI that they will go ahead with their planned Mantralaya gherao on Wednesday. \PTR in Chhattisgarh Schools School levelChhattisgarh 2023-24National 2023-24 (Approx) Primary schools2029 Upper primary schools 1838 High schools1638 Higher secondary schools2442
Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
New Mumbai Police chief joins Devendra Fadnavis's expanding inner circle in choice posts
Since Devendra Fadnavis took over as Maharashtra Chief Minister in December last year following the Mahayuti's landslide victory, he has been a man on a mission, appointing bureaucrats seen as close to him in key positions, even at the risk of upsetting his alliance partners. The latest such appointment came on Wednesday, when the CM picked 1994-batch IPS officer Deven Bharti to succeed Vivek Phansalkar as Mumbai Police Commissioner. Bharti has worked on many high profile cases, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and is seen to have a good rapport with Fadnavis. In the first meeting after returning to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Fadnavis had made it clear to the bureaucracy that his government's roadmap needed to be implemented in the given timeline while also telling his officers that they would 'perish' if they did not 'perform'. In line with these directives, Fadnavis has been appointing his trusted lieutenants in key government positions. One of his first appointments came on December 9 last year, just four days into his latest tenure as CM, when he appointed Shrikar Pardeshi as his secretary. A 2001-batch IAS officer, Pardeshi is seen to be close to Fadnavis and worked with him even when Fadnavis was the Deputy CM between 2022 and 2024 in the Eknath Shinde Cabinet. Pardeshi earlier served in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) between 2014 and 2020. Yet another surprise move days into Fadnavis's tenure on December 14 last year was the appointment of 1995-batch IAS officer Ashiwni Bhide as the principal secretary in the Secretariat. She had served as the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation chief during the NDA's first term (2014-2019). However, some of these moves appear to have created tensions with ally Shiv Sena, whose chief Shinde has been sulking over various issues since he had to give up the CM's chair. The apparent reason for not appointing some officials recommended by mnisters as their personal assistants or officers on special duty is that Fadnavis is determined to keep out 'corrupt and controversial' bureaucrats. 'As the CM, he has the right to make key appointments. We have no right or reason to question him as he holds the Home portfolio as well. However, since there is a coalition government in place, we expect him to give space to alliance partners in making appointments in departments held by the Sena and NCP,' a Shiv Sena minister said on the condition of anonymity. The BJP and NCP, on the other hand, defended Fadnavis's moves. 'Good governance is our promise and for achieving it, the CM has advocated transparency and accountability. These steps are necessary to fulfil our promise,' state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said. A senior NCP minister, requesting anonymity, said the phenomenon of appointing trusted people in key positions is hardly new. 'Even during the Congress-(undivided) NCP tenure, successive CMs exercised their rights in appointing officers of their choice. After the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) came to power, there were a couple of instances where then CM Uddhav Thackeray replaced officers who were perceived to be close to Fadnavis. There is nothing right or wrong in it. Every minister has an individual assessment of officers based on their work and personal equation,' the minister said. Earlier this month too, Fadnavis created flutter in bureaucratic corridors after he brought back retired IAS officer Praveen Pardeshi and appointed him as his economic advisor – a post which did not exist hitherto – with the rank of Minister of State. Praveen, a 1985-batch IAS officer, was seen to be Fadnavis's right-hand man and had earned accolades as a young Collector for his work in the aftermath of the Latur earthquake in the 1990s when a Congress government led by Sharad Pawar was in power. During Fadnavis's first term as CM, Praveen served as the principal secretary in the CMO. In 2015, he was a part of the delegation led by Fadnavis that held discussions on foreign investment and industry with delegates from the US. He also accompanied the CM to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos in 2018. Currently, Praveen holds several other key posts. He is the Chief Executive Officer of the state government-run think tank, Maharashtra Institution for Transformation, the Chairman of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee and the co-chairperson of the state's apex governing committee on data. Fadnavis's preference for trusted officers was also visible during his stint as Deputy CM, when he held the Home portfolio as well. The government had at the time appointed IPS officer Rashmi Shukla, who was sidelined during the MVA tenure, as the Director General of Police (DGP). While she was sent on leave ahead of the Assembly polls, following complaints by the Opposition, she returned days after the results were declared, bringing the Mahayuti back to power.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Facing ‘2% cut' allegations, dist planning officer of Parbhani shunted out by Ajit
Mumbai: In a first of its kind action, deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Monday shunted out Parbhani district planning officer K G Pardeshi after receiving specific allegations of corruption against him. At a recent meeting of District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) in Parbhani, legislators, including MPs, complained to Ajit Pawar that some DPDC officers were collecting 2% commission in Pardeshi's name. Stunned by the allegations, Ajit Pawar reprimanded Pardeshi in the presence of the district collector and senior officials, and summoned him to Mantralaya on Monday. Ajit Pawar later had a fresh round of discussions with Pardeshi and officials from the planning and finance department. Subsequently, he passed an order, saying for administrative reasons, govt has relieved Pardeshi from Parbhani DPDC with immediate effect. The charge has been handed over to Pardeshi's junior officer, R G Dhakne. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads View Deals Undo A senior bureaucrat said it was for the first time in the recent past that a district planning officer was relieved on the spot following charges of corruption levelled by elected representatives. The main charge against Pardeshi was that he was demanding 2% commission on the funds sanctioned by DPDC. While DPDC funds are not uniform across the state, the sums released depend on development projects in the district, the population and other issues. While the total funds for DPDC stand at Rs 20,165 crore, Rs 386 crore has been allocated for Parbhani.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Maharashtra must monetise assets to boost capex, says chief eco advisor
Mumbai: Retired bureaucrat Praveen Pardeshi has been appointed chief economic advisor to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at a challenging juncture - the state faces its highest ever debt of Rs 9.3 lakh crore amid a host of populist welfare schemes. Speaking to TOI, Pardeshi said there is enough fiscal space for borrowing and that his recommendation is to increase long term institutional borrowings for capital expenditure and to monetise the government's assets. This includes leasing irrigation land for tourism and a portion of reservoir surface for solar power generation, besides charging municipal bodies a premium for the use of irrigation water for commercial use. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai "Our fiscal deficit ranges from 2.8 to 3% of GDP which is below the fiscal limit and gives us huge space for more borrowing. In fact, Maharashtra is an underutilised borrowing state compared to others. Borrowing for consumption is bad but borrowing for capital investment is good," said Pardeshi."As discussed with the chief minister, our focus needs to be on long-term loans from institutions and development banks like the WB," said Pardeshi, who is also chief executive officer of the think-tank, Maharashtra Institute for Transformation (MITRA). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Intel Laptops + 1:1 Support for Your Team Lenovo Pro Benefits Learn More Undo The average repayment period on such loans is 15-20 years with a five-year moratorium. "This time span allows for the completion of the project and the impact on the economy and incomes. The state is then in a good position to repay the loan and does not face a debt trap. We are targeting loans worth Rs 30,000 crores from development banks," he said. Pardeshi is also advising the government on the monetisation of its assets especially in the irrigation sector. "The water resources dept is one of the largest spenders in the state but is not even able to recover its maintenance cost for dams. The idea is to monetise irrigation projects without burdening the tax-payer," he said. Idle resources like the reservoir surface have a huge potential for solar power, he said. "Solar power has 15% more efficiency in water because of lower temperatures. We have suggested the department take a PPP advisor, undertake competitive bidding and allocate a certain amount of the reservoir surface for solar power," he said. The reservoir surface should be leased, even to private players who can pay the lease rent and win the bid, he said. Water-front tourism on irrigation lands that are not used is another suggestion. "We have done GIS mapping of irrigation project lands which are not used and are not under submergence. These can be leased for water-front tourism. But this should be done with large-scale tourism companies who maintain environmental standards with waste water and effluent recycling." Pardeshi said the irrigation department should also consider charging a higher rate to municipalities when they supply water for commercial use."When I was municipal commissioner, the BMC made a profit of around Rs 1,000 crore a year on water. This was because of the supply for commercial use to malls, theatres and industry. But the irrigation department did not make such profits because it gives bulk water to municipalities for both domestic and commercial use," said Pardeshi."We are formulating a policy under which municipalities receiving will have to pay a certain amount to the irrigation department for the water supplied for commercial use," he added.
