Stop misuse of PTA funds, demands SFI
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has raised concerns over the alleged misuse of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) funds in various colleges across Himachal Pradesh. The SFI State Committee has called on the Directorate of Education to implement the Parents Teacher Association Rule, 2006, in all colleges to curb corruption related to PTA funds.
A delegation from SFI met with the Director of Education on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum urging the government to take immediate action. The student body also demanded an urgent meeting with the Director of Higher Education to address the issue of corruption tied to PTA funds in the state’s colleges.
SFI officials accused college administrations of exploiting students through the PTA fund system. The organisation claimed that PTA funds, which are intended for the welfare of students, have been misused for years. According to SFI, students are being charged between Rs 600 to Rs 1000 under the pretext of PTA funds, leading to significant amounts of money accumulating in the hands of college administrations.
Using the Right to Information (RTI) Act, SFI activists uncovered that the administration of Centre of Excellence, Government Post Graduate College, Sanjauli, had collected lakhs of rupees from students. These funds were allegedly misused for unrelated expenses such as purchasing curtains, laying tiles, and even spending over Rs 86,000 on PTA meetings. The SFI has accused the administration of misappropriating the funds to benefit contractors and has demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter.
Similar exploitation of PTA funds is reportedly taking place in other colleges across the state, according to SFI. The student body has warned of launching a mass movement across the state if their demands are not met.
