DC Ludhiana Constitutes District-Level Regulatory Body for Fee Regulation

Ludhiana, May 22

To ensure effective implementation of the provisions of the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2016, the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Act, 2019, and the Punjab State Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Rules, 2017, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain has constituted a district-level regulatory body for Ludhiana district with immediate effect.

The committee has been formed to regulate and examine matters related to fixation and increase of fees by unaided educational institutions in the district. The move aims to ensure transparency, fairness and compliance with the provisions laid down under the relevant Acts and Rules. The Regulatory Body will be headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioners of Khanna, Jagraon and Rural Development in their respective areas, MC limits and urban areas as chairpersons. The Chief Minister Field Officer, Ludhiana will serve as Nodal-cum-Member, while the District Education Officer (Secondary Education), Ludhiana has been designated as Member Secretary.

The District Education Officer (Elementary Education), Ludhiana and Superintendent Grade-I from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana will serve as members of the committee. Retired principals Taskeen Akhtar and Nahar Singh have also been nominated by the Government as members of the Regulatory Body.
As per the notification, the Regulatory Body will monitor fee structures and examine proposals related to fee hikes in private unaided educational institutions.

The administration clarified that educational institutions are competent to determine their fee structure while taking into consideration the requirement of funds for smooth functioning of institutions and for providing better facilities to students. However, institutions must adhere to the factors prescribed under Section 6(1) of the Act while fixing or increasing fees. The administration further stated that any increase in fees shall not exceed eight percent of the fee charged during the previous academic year. It was also emphasized that no unaided educational institution shall indulge in profiteering or charge capitation fees in any form.