HP Board of School Education functioning properly: Singh

Shimla, Apr 7 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said that the HP Board of School Education (HPSEB) was functioning properly and the BJP was only trying to politicise the issue.

Replying to a question by Ravinder Singh Ravi (BJP) during question hour, he said the BJP had a problem with the Board Chairman BR Rahi and not with its functioning and was trying to politicise the issue following which there was a confusion for a few moments with the opposition BJP protesting the Chief Minister's statement.

Mr Singh said the board had invited 40 bids for the printing of school textbooks, while one bid was rejected and 38 bidders were present in the meeting called for allotting printing of the textbooks.

He also informed the House that the board had ordered the printing of 1,09,505,500 copies of 98 titles this year, adding that the printing of practical copies were not done.

The board was, however, considering a proposal to print exercise books, he said.

The chief minister said the board had also earned a revenue of Rs 7.82 lakh after selling old newspapers and answer sheets.

Replying to another question by Mahinder Singh (BJP) Mr. Singh said the permission for filling up of about 83 vacant positions in 95 per cent government-aided schools would be given soon, while simultaneously ensuring that a government nominee was present in the interview board while filling the vacant positions.

Mr Singh said the government has been prompt in extending the 95 per cent grant to the aided schools and the amount for the year 2004-05 has already been granted.

Responding to a question Jagat Singh Negi (Congress) regarding the ''challan'' of Red Light displaying vehicles of state's MLA's in neighboring states, the Chief Minister, admitted that Chandigarh police had challaned some MLA's of Himachal Pradesh for displaying red light on their vehicles.

The matter of reciprocal arrangement for the use of Red Light on the vehicles of MLA's and other dignitaries has been taken up with Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh administration, he said.

UNI AS PS LS HS1941