Mumbai  :Mr. Chavan criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plans for a televised address to students on Teacher’s Day. “The language in the circular sent by the Central government is harsh. It implies that action will be taken against schools that do not comply. The speech will go out to over 17 lakh schools. It will be used as propaganda.”

He said both schools and parents were unhappy about the circular. “This is festival season in Maharashtra, but overnight schools have had to organise a television and a generator. Attendance has become compulsory.”

Mr. Chavan said the State had no choice but to implement the Centre’s circular, but he planned to take the issue to an appropriate forum.