FFRC bars private schools from charging transport fee during vacations

Srinagar, Feb 10: The Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC), Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, has issued a strict circular directing private schools to stop charging transport fees during winter and summer vacations where transport facilities are not owned and operated by the schools themselves.
In a circular issued by the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee, the committee said it has received multiple complaints that certain private schools are charging transport fees during vacations despite outsourcing their transport services to third parties under contractual arrangements.
The committee clarified that as per its earlier order dated June 30, 2025, schools that do not own their transport facilities and instead hire services from third parties are completely barred from collecting any transport fee during vacation periods. The practice of charging even 50 percent of transport fee in such cases has been termed a violation of the existing order.
FFRC further directed that private schools shall be allowed to charge only 50 percent of the transport fee during vacations strictly in cases where the transport facilities are owned and operated by the school itself. In situations where transport services are outsourced or hired, no transport fee shall be charged during either winter or summer vacations.
The circular also warned that any transport fee already collected in violation of the order must be refunded to parents immediately. Failure to comply will invite strict legal action, including the imposition of a penalty amounting to one percent of the total revenue of the school and possible de-affiliation.
The order, issued under the authority of Justice Sunil Hali, Chairperson FFRC, has directed all private schools in the Union Territory to ensure strict compliance without exception. [KNT]