Uttarakhand Cabinet approves amendments to anti-conversion law
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Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
All private schools to follow new fee regulation law, says Delhi education minister
New Delhi, The Delhi government has brought all 1,700 private schools in the city under a new fee regulation law, with provisions for parental participation and veto power on fee hikes, Education Minister Ashish Sood said on Friday. Speaking at a "Parents' Town Hall" in Janakpuri, Sood said the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, passed in the Monsoon Session of the Assembly, seeks to end arbitrary fee increases and ensure transparency in the fee fixation process. About 200 parents attended the interaction, where the minister explained key provisions of the law, including penalties for non-compliance. Schools that raise fees without government approval will face fines ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, with double penalties if excess charges are not refunded, he said, according to an official statement. The bill also grants the Director of Education powers similar to those of a sub-divisional magistrate to ensure uniform action against violations, it stated. Committees comprising parents, teachers, school management and government representatives will be involved in setting school fees, it read. Sood said the new law closes a loophole in the 1973 rules, under which only 300 schools were covered for the fee regulation. "Now, all private schools in Delhi will come under the ambit of fee regulation," he said. The minister criticised previous governments for failing to establish a transparent system for private school fee control. "Those who claimed to have brought an education revolution did not make real improvements in government schools," he said, adding that many parents opted for private schools because of the poor state of public education facilities. As per the bill, decisions on fee proposals must be made by school-level committees by July 15, district-level committees by July 30, and finalised by September. If no decision is reached within 45 days, the matter will be referred to an appellate committee. Sood said the law was drafted after consultations with parents and education experts to curb the commercialisation of education and safeguard the interests of students. PTI Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Veto power for parents, accountability: Education Minister allays concerns over Bill to regulate school fee in Delhi
Days after the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, was passed in the Delhi Assembly, Education Minister Ashish Sood on Friday allayed concerns among parents while maintaining that the Bill will put an 'end to arbitrary practices' of private schools. Addressing a Town Hall event in Janakpuri, he said, 'This Bill will put an end to arbitrary practices of private schools and ensure transparency in fee fixation, active participation of parents, and give them the veto power on hikes.' Calling it a 'historic Bill', Sood said the reform will safeguard 18 lakh parents, 'restoring their trust, transparency and giving them greater control'. He also assured parents that their queries would be answered and that they would have a fair say in matters concerning their children's education. According to a statement issued by Sood's office, around 200 parents from Janakpuri participated in the event and 'shared several important suggestions with the Minister and requested him to address their concern'. Ever since the Bill was proposed earlier this year, several protests have been held by groups of parents who have said that they were not included in discussions on the matter. The Bill, which has now been sent to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena for his nod, seeks to bring both recognised and unrecognised private schools under a uniform oversight mechanism for regulating fees. The change, Sood said, is meant to correct a 'loophole in the 1973 law', under which only 300 of Delhi's 1,700 private schools were covered. He told parents, 'If any school increases fees without the government approval, it will face a fine ranging from `1 lakh to `10 lakh, and in case of failure to refund excess charges, double the penalty will be imposed.' The statement underlined that the Directorate of Education will be given 'powers similar to that of an SDM to ensure uniform action against all schools'. At the event, plain sheets of paper were passed around to collect feedback. 'One of the main concerns is the election of Parent Teacher Association members at the school level… to make sure that matters like fee hike will be taken up after giving due importance to the opinion of parents,' said Divya Mattey, a parent. The Bill lays out a three-tier fee regulation framework — the School Level Fee Regulation Committee, the District Fee Appellate Committee, and a Review Committee. At the school level, the committee will be chaired by a nominee of the management, including the principal as secretary, five parents drawn by lots from the PTA, three teachers, and a nominee from the Directorate of Education as an observer. At least two members must be women and one from a Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, or socially backward class. The committee must meet before August 15 each year to unanimously approve the school's proposed fee for the upcoming academic year, with revisions allowed only once every three years. The official statement noted that the new process sets specific timelines 'committee decision by 15 July, district-level decision by 30 July, and final decision by September.' If no decision is made within 45 days, the matter will be referred to the appellate committee. A challenge to the proposed fee can be initiated by at least 15% of parents from the affected school.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Hubballi, NK region celebrate Independence Day with fervour
1 2 3 Pics: Tricolour hoisted at Hubballi's Nehru Stadium by MLA Mahesh Tenginakai and officials on Friday; SWR GM Mukul Saran Mathur inspected the parade at I-day celebration in Rail Soudha, Hubballi, on Friday; Vijayapura district minister MB Patil launched registration for Vrukshathon Heritage Run-2025 on the occasion of I-Day Hubballi: The 79th Independence Day was celebrated in Hubballi and the North Karnataka region with fervour on Friday. Former chief minister and Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai hoisted the national flag at the premises of Kanakadas Shikshana Samiti group of colleges and honoured ex-serviceman and social worker Parashuram Divanad. Management members Ravi Dandin, Shantanna Kadival, principal Sandeep Budihal were among those present at the programme. At the NWKRTC central office, managing director Priyanga M unfurled the tricolour and distributed cash prizes to the staff. Chief labour officer P Y Nayak, chief traffic manager Vivekananda Vishwadnya and others were present. At KLE Technological University, Hubballi, pro-chancellor Dr Ashok Shettar received the Guard of Honour from the university's NCC Cadets and hoisted the national flag. Vice-chancellor Prakash Tewari and Registrar B S Anami were also present. Hubballi city celebrated the 79th Independence Day at Nehru Stadium. The programme was organised by the Hubballi town taluka Independence Day committee. Speaking on the occasion, Mahesh Gaste, the tahsildar of Hubballi City, said: "The country got its independence due to the sacrifices of the freedom fighters. Today, we are living free due to the hard work of the freedom fighters. Everyone should work hard for the development of the country. " MLA Mahesh Tenginakai exuded confidence that the country will emerge Viksit Bharat in 2047. Hubballi rural tahsildar J B Majjagi claimed govt employees had been told to collaborate with the stakeholders to implement various welfare schemes piloted by the govt to offer public service. Speaking after the flag-hoisting at the Mini Vidhana Soudha, Majjagi emphasised that all taluka-level officials must address public grievances and focus on development work. He highlighted Hubballi and its surrounding areas' significant contributions to the freedom struggle. The general manager of South Western Railway (SWR) Mukul Saran Mathur hoisted the nationakl flag at Rail Soudha, Hubballi. He said SWR has played a pivotal role in driving socio-economic growth in the region. SSK Sri Tulaja Bhavani Education Society trustee Bhaskar Jituri praised the Armed Forces for their role in rooting out terrorism from the country. He hoisted the flag at SSK PU and Degree College in Chanakya Puri, Hubballi. In Vijayapura, district minister MB Patil hoisted the national flag at the district stadium and launched registration for the Vrukshathon Heritage Run, 2025, to be held in December. Opposition chief whip in the Legislative Council, N Ravikumar, mayor M S Karadi, skill development corporation chairman Kantha Nayak, DC K Anand, zilla parishad CEO Rishi Anand, SP Laxman Nimbargi were among those present. In Gadag, district minister HK Patil hoisted the national flag and felicitated achievers from different sectors at K H Patil district stadium. MLC SV Sankanur, DC CN Sreedhara, zilla parishad CEO Bharat S, SP Rohan Jagadish, and others were present. Vice-chancellor Prof Suresh V Nadagoud unfurled the national flag at Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University and recalled the sacrifices of thousands of freedom fighters. Retired Navy officer Karoshi Mahadevappa Ramappa and others were present. In Bagalkot, district minister RB Timmapur unfurled the tricolour and recalled the supreme sacrifice of Halagali Bedaru in the struggle against the British. "As many as 500 Beda community members fought against the British under the leadership of Jadaganna and Balanna," he added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
