NCP concernd over commercialisation of education in TN

Chennai, Jun 14 (UNI) The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Tamil Nadu today expressed concern over the commercialisation of education in the state.

NCP state president Tindivanam Ramamurthee and Party national general secretary Master Bithambaram, briefing newspersons on the deliberations of the state executive meeting here said private educational institutions were collecting huge amount as capitation and tution fees from the students, despite the government order not to collect more than the amount fixed by the state.

They said a resolution to this effect adopted at the meeting urged the state government to immediately put an end to the commericialisation of education.

Pointing to the deteriorating law and order situation, the meeting alleged that the police force had not only become ineffective but also assisting violence and 'Kattapanchayat Raj.' It urged Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to take suitable action in this regard.

On the bypoll for the Madurai West assembly seat, the NCP leaders said the party would extend support to those who officially approached them.

Other resolutions adopted at the meeting wanted the state government to take concrete steps on Palar and Mullaiperiyar water issues to protect the interest of Tamil Nadu, arrange immediate power supply to the farmers of the state living in the border areas of Andhra Pradesh, in the wake of that state cutting off power supply over the Palar dam controversy.

The meeting wanted Chief Minister Karunanidhi to take suitable steps towards nationalisation of rivers as this was the only way to overcome inter-state water disputes.

Expressing concern over the Tamil Nadu Government's failure to invite the NCP in all party meetings, the NCP leaders urged Chief Minister to instruct the officials concerned in this regard.

Party National Sectretary G P Sarathy said as availing of farm loans by farmers had become difficult, the Central and the State Governments should relax the existing norms to ensure that peasants get farm loans without any problem.

UNI