AAP govt mulls new law to regulate coaching centres

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 31
The Delhi Government on Wednesday proposed a law to regulate coaching centres in the Capital after three Civil Services aspirants died due to flooding in a coaching centre last week.
The decision came after the state government faced scrutiny and criticism. The AAP-led Delhi Government and Municipal Corporation have been under fire from students and Opposition parties over the tragic deaths.
The proposed law will not only specify infrastructure requirements and teacher qualifications, but will also regulate the fees of coaching institutes. Additionally, these centres will be prohibited from giving misleading advertisements. The law will be drafted by a committee comprising government officials and students from various coaching hubs in Delhi.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi stated that the Delhi Government would not wait for a Central legislation.
“Just as private schools, hospitals and nursing homes are regulated by law, with guidelines for infrastructure, regular inspections and recognition, the Delhi Government will introduce a law to regulate all coaching institutes operating in the city, whether they are preparing students for IAS, IIT, NEET, CUET, NDA, or any other exam,” she said.
She emphasised that the Delhi Government would enact a Coaching Institutes Regulation Act as a long-term solution. “The fees of coaching institutes will be regulated, as these centres charge exorbitant fees. Misleading advertisements by these centres will also be curtailed,” she added.
She added that the regulation of coaching centres would be an ongoing process, with regular inspections.
“We will also publicise an email address through newspapers and FM radio. I appeal to all Delhi residents, especially students, to give their feedback,” Atishi said.
The MCD has terminated the services of a junior engineer and suspended an assistant engineer of the area. However, no senior officials have been questioned or faced any action yet.
“The report of the magisterial probe ordered into the incident will be available in six days, and strict action will follow,” she added.
Additionally, the MCD has sealed the basements of 30 coaching centres in Rajinder Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, Laxmi Nagar and Preet Vihar, while notices have been issued to 200 other centres.
Mayor Shelly Oberoi, addressing the media, said she had written a letter to the MCD Commissioner instructing that strict action be taken against all coaching centres operating illegally, especially in basements. She also directed that strict action be taken against the engineers and officers responsible for the incident.
“We used bulldozers and JCBs to clear all encroachments by coaching centres in the Rajinder Nagar area. After receiving an inquiry report, we will get a detailed report in the coming days, and further action will be taken accordingly. These are our short-term measures,” she added.
The Mayor also noted that coaching institutes and their owners were openly violating MCD bylaws, rules and regulations.
“There were supposed to be two entry-exit points in that basement, but we found only one, which led to the students getting trapped, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives,” she said.
Expressing sympathy for the parents of the deceased, she said, “We will listen to the demands of the students and soon hold a meeting with them. After that, we will pass this regulation with the help of the Delhi Government, and the MCD will also adhere to all these regulations.”

Will specify infra requirements

• The proposed law will not only specify infrastructure requirements and teacher qualifications, but will also regulate the fees of coaching institutes.
• The centres will be prohibited from giving misleading advertisements.
• The law will be drafted by a committee comprising government officials and students from various coaching hubs in Delhi.