Free education in govt schools, colleges in Chhattisgarh: Rahul Gandhi’s poll promise

BHANUPRATAPPUR/FARASGAON: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday promised free education in government schools and colleges in Chhattisgarh, Rs 4,000 a year for 'tendu' leaves collectors if his party retains power in the state, and slammed the BJP-led Centre over a host of issues.

Addressing election rallies in the Bhanupratappur and Farsgaon towns in the Naxal-hit Bastar division, Gandhi asked if prime minister Narendra Modi 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.

While the Bhanupratappur assembly seat is located in the Kanker district, Farsgaon is a part of the Kondagaon constituency in neighbouring Kondagaon district. The two seats are 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 the 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 tribal-dominated Bastar region where a large number of tribals and forest dwellers are associated with tendu leaf collection.

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“Next time, when BJP leaders come to your place, ask them whether they send their children to English medium or Hindi medium schools. They all will say English medium. Actually, they don't want your children to learn English, do big business and work in call centres.” he said.

The Congress government in Chhattisgarh has opened Swami Atmanand English Medium Schools to provide quality education, he added. During his speech at Bhanupratappur, 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.