Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Aug 21: Jammu and Kashmir Committee for Fixation and Regulation of Fee of Private Schools (FFRC) has imposed a fine of Rs 9.60 lacs on a private school in Srinagar for not complying to its orders.
According to the FFRC orders, the school management have been directed to pay the fine within ten days.
FFRC in an order said that on May-20-2024, penalty of Rs 3.20 lacs was imposed on the school Management of Minto Circle English Medium Senior Secondary school, Aloochi Bagh, Srinagar.
It also said that the penalty was imposed on account of the school charging excess money against the fees determined by this committee.
In terms of Rule 12 sub clause (e) and (f), the non-compliance of orders of committee, Chairperson can impose a fine on private schools equal to 1 percent of total revenue generated in the preceding year for the first time of non-compliance.
In case non-compliance is shown by the school Management second time 3 percent of penalty can be imposed.
“It was in this context that the order dated 20th of May, 2024 was issued as the school was charging excess fees as determined and regulated by this committee,” it reads.
FFRC said that it was further directed that the management of school be taken over by an administrator which order was required to be passed by the Administrative Department of the Education Department. “This order has been challenged in the High Court in writ petition and the Court has been pleased to issue notice in the writ petition.”
“The High Court has stayed only part of the direction which was in respect of taking over the Management of School,” FFRC said.
It also said that the order imposing penalty of Rs 3.2 lacs has not been stayed. In view of this, the school was liable to deposit the penalty imposed by the FFRC Chairman.
“This was the first default committed by the school management. Penalty has still not been deposited therefore committing a second default, which entails the penalty of 3 percent of the revenue of the preceding year. In view of this the school management is directed to pay Rs 9.60 lacs within a period of 10 days,” reads the FFRC order.
The committee further said that the amount shall be deposited in the account of the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee of Private Schools, J&K (FFRC).
“Needless to remind, in case the school management fails to comply with this order, the matter will be referred to the Tehsildar Recoveries, Srinagar for recovering this amount as arrear of land revenue in terms of Regulation 12 Sub clause (i),” it reads.
The committee added that it reserves the right under section 20 C sub clause (3) to refer the case to the investigating agency for registration of a case under section 188 of Indian Penal Code.
