By IANS,
New Delhi : Defying the Congress-led Delhi state government’s move to allow a Rs.500 hike in school fees, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Monday said it is not bound to follow the “dictates” of the city government in such matters.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led civic body also issued a warning to over 700 primary schools under its ambit that any hike in fees to equal the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations would be unacceptable and the schools would face de-recognition.
Vijender Gupta, chairman MCD standing committee, told reporters, “MCD does not accept the hike in fee of public schools up to Rs.500 as approved by Delhi government. The MCD is governed by the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act 1957, and is not bound to follow the dictates of Delhi government in such matters.”
“The MCD is in favour of giving benefit of the Sixth Pay Commission to the teachers, but at the same time it is also our duty to ensure that parents are not fleeced of their hard-earned money. Middle and lower middle class parents are bound to be affected by any untoward increase,” Gupta added.
He warned that implementation of the pay commission recommendations must not become an excuse for school managements for further collection of unaccounted funds, which are generally diverted for other than school purposes. Schools that go on with their fee hike could face de-recognition, Gupta said.
“The schools, that had increased fee or other charges, would have to refund the amount to the students and have been directed to submit compliance report within 10 days,” he said.
Gupta added that the MCD would give permission to increase fee only to those schools which have clear balance-sheet of accounts and there is no bungling in their accounts.
The MCD has sought information from more than 700 unaided recognized schools, seeking information for the last six years of financial accounts.