Private schools on Delhi government land can't increase fees without official nod

NEW DELHI: Delhi government today said that private schools which are housed on its land cannot increase their fees without seeking prior approval from it.

The announcement came days after take-over notices were sent to two branches of Maxfort School over alleged financial irregularities.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the government is ready to take "tough steps" to prevent "arbitrariness" in private schools' fee structure.

The government announced its stand after a delegation of parents met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Sisodia and complained about a private school over an increase in its fees.

"Kalka Public School located at Alaknanda has been directed not to increase fee without taking permission of government," Sisodia tweeted.

He also said that private schools, which are built on government land, cannot increase fees without prior nod from the government.

"The government is serious about preventing arbitrariness by private schools and is ready to take strict steps," said the deputy chief minister who also holds education portfolio.

Earlier this week, the government had issued show-cause notices to two branches of Maxfort School (Pitampura and Rohini) asking why it should not take over their management after finding these to be "guilty of financial irregularities and other malpractices".