Private schools in for trouble

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 16

The Estate Office of the Chandigarh Administration will crack the whip on all 87 private schools in the city.  Sources said Ajit Balaji Joshi, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer, had ordered a survey of the schools to check violation of building  bylaws and conditions of allotment of land.

The survey will also be carried out to check  the misuse  of the  premises. The sources  said the private  schools  to be  surveyed included  all top schools situated in Sectors 26 and 38, and  other  parts of the  city.  An official of the  Estate Office  said during the survey, it would be ascertained whether or not the schools  were running from buildings approved as per the plan of the Administration. He said complaints had been received that many schools had constructed structures which were not approved. It would also be ascertained “whether or not the schools have made internal changes in the buildings". 

They would also check whether the changes, if any, were dangerous from the safety point of view. The official said action would be taken on the basis of the survey report. Besides imposing penalty for misuse and violation of building rules, the Estate Office could also seal them. He said no alteration  could be made without approval.   The sources said some schools were running from basements, which was against the laws.