KOTTAYAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Monday expressed regret for failing to provide a level playing field for organisations to collect fees from their educational institutions during the term of the previous UDF Government. Inaugurating the 135th birth anniversary of Mannathu Padmanabhan at Perunna, Changanassery, Oommen Chandy said that, in 2005, the UDF Government had realised that 20 per cent of organisations were deprived of the right to collect fees from their educational institutions while 80 per cent had the freedom to determine the fees. An executive order was passed to correct the anomaly. But this was not sufficient as the educational rules in the state necessitated an amendment to the rules. Chandy regreted that he could not take corrective steps for the past five years. The government this time corrected the anomalies so that justice was done to various institutions, including the NSS. He hailed Mannathu Padmanabhan for working selflessly for the community and society. Mannathu Padmanabhan’s active participation in the Vaikom Satyagraha was an example of his secular outlook, Chandy said. He was among those who had helped the state achieve credits on various fronts. This had made each and every Malayali proud and to some extent arrogant, he said. Chandy said the government would continue to help such an organisation engaged in helping society. Finance Minister K M Mani said he considered Mannath Padmanabhan as his guru as it was he who had initiated him into the world of politics. Mani said he first contested to the Assembly under Mannath’s patronage and guidance. Mani said it was due to the blessings of the social reformer that he remained in politics for the past 47 years. Mani said the UDF and the NSS had a very special connection. Funds for the Sabarimala zero waste plan was allocated in the budget after getting suggestion from NSS general secretary Sukumaran Nair during the pre-budget discussions. Mani said Mannath Padmanabhan was a true social reformer and freedom fighter as he had fought hard to allow people of all castes to enter temples in 1921. He even opened his ancestral temple for people from all castes. Referring to the economically sound people taking advantage of the benefits meant for the poor by entering the BPL list, he said timely changes should be made in the list. He said there were only two castes- the rich and the poor. On the occasion, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said the aim of the UDF Government was to help all sections of society. He called upon the NSS to work towards starting a medical college. He commended the NSS for its decision to launch an institute for offering training to civil services aspirants. He also praised the NSS for its micro-financing programme which was helping a large number of women.
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