Private schools can conduct half-yearly exam through online modes, School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan told reporters on Saturday on the sideline of events in Gobichettipalayam.

He said that the government has postponed the half-yearly exams for its schools however, private schools are free to conduct exams virtually.  "Efforts are taken to conduct coaching classes for IIT-JEE from December 15 onwards. Likewise, coaching classes for CA aspirants will begin from December 23," he added.

Speaking about crop loan for farmers, the minister said that Rs 1000 crore interest-free credit has been set as a target and '709 core crop loan has been given so far. The minister was in Gobichettipalayam to lay the foundation stone for several development projects-- the construction of Tar roads-- at the cost of Rs 4.06 crore in Modachur, Ayalur, Alukuli, Kalingiyam and Kettupullapalayam panchayats. He gave garbage collection vehicles to Gobichettipalayam municipality and distributed welfare assistance to sanitary workers at the cost of Rs 5 lakh.