NAGPUR: The State Government has decided in principle to accord autonomy to the State Board for Secondary and Higher Secondary examinations by converting it into a corporate body.This was stated by Education Minister Sudhir Joshi in the Legislative Assembly in reply to a question by Rohidas Chavan (Shiv Sena) and others. He informed that a draft bill to accord autonomous status to the board is being prepared. The policy decision was taken some time last year on the basis of a report submitted by a committee set up in 1994 .New norms for statues, bustsThe State Government will soon come out with a new system for maintenance of structures erected at tehsil places in memory of freedom fighters, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Urban Development Ravindra Mane told the House. The government has already increased the grant in aid for the maintenance of memorials. The plan is to involve voluntary organisations and local bodies, he added. He also suggested that MLAs could contribute from the funds available at their disposal for recommending development works in their constituencies. His suggestion evoked sharp protest, forcing Chief Minister Manohar Joshi to intervene. Joshi assured the agitated members that the State Government would provide sufficient funds to ensure all structures are repaired before August 15. The issue of repairs of dilapidated structures and maintenance of memorials was raised by V C Naik and Narsayya Adam during the question hour.Encroachments on Borivli park to goForest Minister Ganesh Naik assured the Legislative Assembly that all illegal structures numbering over 60,000, in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli, would be removed as per court's directions. Nearly half of the structures, constructed after 1995, would be removed in the first phase and rest in the second phase by offering them alternate land, he added. He denied that cases of poaching involving influential people were detected recently in the park. He also vehemently refuted an allegation levelled by R R Patil (Cong) that Jaidev Thackeray was involved in a case of poaching. Film on Dr Ambedkar soonA feature film on the life and work of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar is nearing completion. The shooting has been completed and the film, being produced jointly by the state government's National Films Development Corporation, is expected to be released within two months.This was stated by Chief Minister Manohar Joshi in a written reply to a question by Prataprao Jadhav (Shiv Sena) and three other members.Bill to amend TU lawsGovernment today introduced the Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions and Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices (Amendment) Bill, 1997 in the Legislative Assembly. The Bill was introduced to amend the Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions and Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices Act 1971 and was enacted in the 48th year of the republic year of India.
