Audited reports of 600 Delhi schools gathered, show-cause notices to 10 over plaints of arbitrary fee hike, says minister

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has said that it has collected audited financial reports from 600 schools in just seven days, in response to mounting complaints of arbitrary fee hikes across the national capital.
State education minister Ashish Sood has also confirmed that 10 schools have been issued show-cause notices for failing to submit audit reports for the last 10 years.
"While the AAP government managed to collect audited reports from only 75 schools in one year, we have gathered audited reports from 600 schools within just seven days. We have already issued show-cause notices to 10 schools that haven't submitted their reports for the last 10 years," news agency ANI quoted Sood as saying.
Sood said that the Education Department would not tolerate any malpractice related to fee hikes and that a comprehensive system was being put in place to ensure accountability.
"We will create a strong documentation system and tighten the noose around such schools. We will investigate how arbitrary fee hikes were approved in the past and whether any corrupt dealings took place with the previous government. We will not tolerate any such malpractice under any circumstances," he said.
The issue of fee hikes has sparked public outcry, with several parents and students staging protests, alleging harassment and unjustified increases in school fees.
Sood highlighted a key development in the case of Delhi Public School (DPS), which had previously taken the Delhi government to court over the matter. "Today marks a historic day for education in Delhi. For the first time in the city's history, a DM-headed committee visited Delhi Public School (DPS). DPS had taken the Delhi Government to court, but the court reprimanded DPS, and based on the report submitted by our committee, the court has now directed the DM to ensure that students' education is not disrupted," he stated.
He further added, "For the past five years, no action had been successfully taken against DPS regarding the issue of education. But today, thanks to the efforts of our DM-headed committee and the government led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the court has finally held DPS accountable after five years. Based on the findings of this committee, we will take strict action."
Criticizing the previous administration, Sood questioned why the AAP-led government failed to enforce existing laws regarding school financial transparency. "I would like to question former chief minister Atishi and her AAP government. Why was the 1973 Education Act, which mandates the submission and inspection of school audit reports, not enforced? Why were permissions to increase school fees given arbitrarily, some approved, some denied? What kind of under-the-table dealings were happening under AAP's rule?" he asked.
Sood reiterated the current government's commitment to transparency and regulation in education. "We aim to collect audit reports from all 1,670 schools in Delhi. There will be no room for dishonesty."
On Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ordered an investigation into the fee hike complaints after meeting concerned parents at her residence. Addressing the issue, she said, "It is completely unacceptable for any school to mentally harass parents or students, threaten them with expulsion, or increase fees without following due process."
CM Gupta reaffirmed her government’s dedication to improving the quality of education in the capital. "We are committed to ensuring that every child receives access to quality and modern education," she said.
(With agency inputs)