Fee hike draft law ready: Rajendra Darda

The draft law to regulate fee raise will be tabled within a month before the cabinet, after suggestions are taken from all stakeholders.

Even as an education activist went on hunger strike on Saturday to protest against the government for the delay in enacting the law to regulate fee hike in private and unaided schools, the state’s school education minister has promised to come out with it soon.

Vivek Korde, president, of the Forum Against Commercialisation of Education (FACE) went on hunger strike on Saturday at Shanta Ashram in Grant Road.

The forum, which has been relentlessly pushing the government for quick implementation of the law on fee hike, is also asking the government to regulate pre-primary schools in the state.

School education minister Rajendra Darda claimed that the draft is ready and has been handed over to the law department for study.

“I plan to have separate discussions in all the eight divisions of the state for people. Suggestions will be sought online,” he said.

Milind Wagh, another member of FACE, said, “If fee hike regulation act is not implemented soon, the next academic year will begin.

The state should see to it that the draft is put up on the website within a week, so that suggestions start flowing in. Since the state claims that the draft is ready, we do not see any need for the delay.”

The forum has sought an appointment with Darda this week. Meanwhile, Korde claims to have gone on an indefinite strike.