Tehsil officers strike impacts parents of RTE students

A large number of parents in Mira Bhayandar and Thane areas seeking admission for their children under Right To Education's 25 per cent quota are in a fix due to the Tehsil officers union strike. Following the strike there is no one to verify and issue income certificates to parents. The union has gone on strike after one of their Tehsil officer was arrested in Navi Mumbai for allegedly issuing fake income certificate to one of the person. This is impacting the RTE quota admissions.

A parent Sheela Sharma, (name changed), said, "I could not apply for RTE admission this year as I could not apply for income certificate because of Tehsil officer union protest."

Another parent, Laila Khan, (name changed), said, "I have income certificate but wanted to renew it. But the protest of Tehsil officer union have put me in tight spot. The education department should do something for parents like us who dont have income certificate."

It is not just the income certificates, but also non creamy layer and other certificates which have got impacted in Thane and Mira Bhayander area due to the Tehsil officer's agitation.

The education officer however has provided some respite.

Bhaskarrao Babar, education officer, Mira Bhayandar, said, "We will give provisional admissions to parents of Mira Bhayandar if they don't have income certificate. But we will make sure all needy students get admission under 25 per cent quota. We have also opened one department in our office for parents to fill application for RTE."