Delhi coaching centre: Delhi govt to introduce law regulating study centres, Atishi says

The Delhi government has decided to bring in a law that would regulate coaching centres across the city, Delhi Education Minister Atishi Marlena stated on Wednesday. Atishi made this announcement in a press conference just days after three UPSC aspirants drowned inside a basement-library in a coaching institute in Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar.

This proposed law will be drafted by a committee formed by the state government, which would constitute of government officials and students from different coaching hubs.

"The law will have provisions for infrastructure, qualification of teachers, fee regulation and preventing misleading advertisements. Public feedback will also be sought," she said.


The incident has left many distraught, with students protesting outside the place of the incident in Delhi. Students have demanded strict action against the coaching institute, and are outraged over the lack of proper safety measures this incident brings to light with it. Atishi said the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has cracked down on coaching centres using basements in violation of laws.

"Basements of 30 coaching centres in Rajinder Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, Laxmi Nagar and Preet Vihar have been sealed while notices have been issued to 200 other coaching centres," she said.

She said the report of the magisterial probe into the Old Rajinder Nagar incident will be submitted in the next six days.

"Strict action will be taken if any officers are found guilty in the incident. Illegal building use led to the Old Rajinder Nagar tragedy," she said.

The probe will also ascertain which officer ignored a complaint sent to the MCD by an IAS aspirant about the illegal use of the basement at Rau's IAS Study Circle, where the three students died, according to Atishi.

The magisterial inquiry will ascertain which officer was incharge of the grievances portal where the complaint was uploaded and how it was ignored," Atishi said.

A civil services aspirant from Gwalior had on Monday claimed that he had complained to the MCD about the illegal use of the basement by the institute and sent reminders on July 15 and 22 but no action was taken in the matter.