Govt to take over 449 schools if they fail to refund extra fees

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 18

In a clear message to errant unaided private schools, the government has served fresh show-cause notices to around 449 private schools over their failure to implement the Justice Anil Dev Singh panel recommendations over refunding excess fee, warning them to comply with the Delhi High Court orders or face action.

Addressing reporters on the issue, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said around 449 schools have been asked to implement the Justice Anil Dev Singh Committee recommendations failing which the government as a “last resort” will be forced to take them over.

The committee had scrutinised a total of 1,108 private unaided schools and of them it was found that around 544 schools were found to have changed excess fees on the pretext of Sixth Pay Commission.

“Of them 44 schools fall under minority, 15 schools have refunded as told to the High Court while around five have already deposited excess fess as specified by the Anil Dev committee.

Further, 17 schools have already been served notices by the government, 13 have been closed and one already taken over by the government. The government has served notices to 449 schools on the issue four days ago with a deadline to respond within two weeks, said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

“The Delhi Government does not intend to “interfere" into their functioning, but will surely will “discipline” such schools, if needed, said Kejriwal.

The schools are among over 500 schools under scanner for overcharging parents on the pretext of implementing recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission as per the report by the committee headed by Justice Anil Dev Singh.

“Some of them are doing good work. But if they don't implement the recommendations of the panel's report then we will take them over as a last resort," Kejriwal said.