Coaching centre owners decide to shift base

Aarti Kapur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20

Children attending coaching for competitive exams in the city and their parents were in for a shock today when local coaching centres announced that they would be shifting their establishments to neighbouring towns in protest against the alleged “dictatorial” attitude adopted by the Chandigarh Administration.

Only three days ago, owners of coaching centres, after meeting the UT officials, had claimed that the issue of running classes during school hours had been resolved. UT officials, on the other hand, had announced that it was a temporary relief keeping in view the impending board exams.

However, the association of coaching academies, in a representation to the UT Adviser, had stated that as Section 144 of the CrPC had not been revoked even after a written assurance of the administration, coaching centres were left with no option but to shift their base.

Arvind Goyal, one of the members of the association, said a number of institutes had already identified places in Zirakpur, Mohali and Panchkula for starting their classes before the commencement of the next academic session.

Chandigarh is an education hub and coaching centres besides providing quality education to engineering and medical aspirants are also generating revenue for the administration, as a large number of students from various regions come to the city to attend classes.

“To date, no case of hooliganism or violence has been reported in or outside coaching centres of the city. Then why such stringent action was taken against them by the authorities?” questioned the association. Coaching centre owners also pointed out that the administration has not given the many concessional land or grant.

They said the instructions given to various departments to conduct inspection of coaching centres would hinder their smooth functioning.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Shayin, however, said the administration would stick to its stands and enforce various guidelines issued to coaching centres.