Revise income limit for EWS admission: L-G to Delhi CM

Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) VK Saxena on Wednesday advised Chief Minister Atishi to enhance the income limit for availing admissions in private schools under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category to at least Rs 5 lakh from the prevailing Rs 1 lakh, Raj Niwas officials said.

“Saxena said the income limit set by the Delhi Government was unrealistic and restrictive, emphasising that even a minimum wage earner would earn over Rs 2.5 lakh annually. Such a restriction would prevent thousands of children from qualifying for the benefits of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) scheme for admission to private schools,” an official said.

The L-G highlighted that the income limit for higher education set by the Government of India is Rs 8 lakh, and that the Delhi High Court had previously urged the Delhi Government to increase the income threshold to at least Rs 2.5 lakh, according to an official.

“Saxena pointed out that while an ideal income limit would be Rs 8 lakh, a minimum threshold of Rs 5 lakh should be set for private school admissions, as students benefiting at the primary and secondary levels are often those who pursue higher education,” officials stated.

He directed that his position on this matter be presented in the High Court’s upcoming hearing on December 4.

He asked the government to put his stand on the records of the court as it has initiated contempt proceedings in the matter.

In response, the AAP stated that the proposal from the Directorate of Education, GNCTD, which the L-G has now approved, was initially sent to him in April 2024. However, he had returned the file without approval at that time. The party argued that the L-G could have issued his “strong advice” then, but chose not to. Now, faced with the contempt of the High Court, the AAP claimed the L-G is only pretending to show concern for children in the EWS category.

The L-G Secretariat responded, stating, “The AAP, without naming anyone, is once again blatantly lying to cover up its own exposure. The file could not have reached the L-G as the then Chief Minister was in jail, which means the file would have remained in his office. For once, stop misleading and start working.”