India, Dec. 26 -- The Union ministry of education has expressed dissatisfaction with Maharashtra's education department over the low response to PM Narendra Modi's student interaction programme, Pariksha Pe Charcha. The concern was conveyed through a communication from the ministry's deputy secretary, following which the director of state secondary and higher secondary education has issued fresh instructions to officials across the state to intensify registration efforts for the programme.

According to an official letter, the union ministry had set a target of 65,00,000 participants from Maharashtra, including students, teachers and parents. However, registrations so far have crossed only 2,75,000, falling far short of the expected numbe...