L-G approves govt's proposal to take over 449 private schools

The Delhi government's proposal to take over 449 private unaided schools, after they failed to refund excess fee charged from parents, has got the official nod by Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal.

According to the proposal approved by the L-G, the schools will be first allowed to reply the show cause notice issued by the Delhi government within two weeks on why should the school not be taken over by the government. He, however, asked the government to ensure that the ongoing session do not get disrupted.

The 449 schools, including some of the top private schools, were identified by a committee appointed by the Delhi High Court and headed by Justice Anil Dev Singh for 'overcharging' parents on the pretext of implementing the sixth pay commission after some parents had approached the court in 2009. The committee had recommended that the hiked fee be refunded to parents along with a nine per cent interest.

On Friday, the Delhi government had said that the step will be taken as the 'last resort', only if they fail to return the amount. The schools have an option to move to the court in their defence.

Last week, the Delhi government had apprised the Delhi High Court that out of the 544 schools, identified by Justice Anil Dev committee to refund the excess fees, these 449 schools had not given money back to the parents.

According to Delhi government the schools have to have to refund over Rs 300 crore to the parents.