Team Herald
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday assured the House that government is ready to initiate penal action against all those aided schools, which opt for State grants and also seek huge donations for admissions, provided there are complaints.
The assurance came after Opposition MLAs brought to the notice of the State Assembly that there are several government aided schools, which despite availing grants from government, demand for donations at time of admissions.
“I assure the House, that my government will not permit any kind of malpractices. I can take all necessary action including penalising them, if there are complaints. Random inspections or actions are not possible unless there are complaints,” he said.
Senior Congress MLA Pratapsingh Rane and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Churchill Alemao informed the House, how some schools demand for domination from the parents for admissions. Both even said that he will submit name of the school to the Chief Minister who is involved in such act, for necessary action.
“There are schools that enjoy government grants and at the same time take donations in cash. If you don’t give, then your child doesn’t get admission. I am aware about one such school. This is illegal and needs to be stopped immediately,” Rane said.
Earlier speaking, Rane sought to know whether government will consider the grants given for construction of schools and laboratories as non-refundable.
Chief Minister said under “Revised Infrastructure Loan cum Grants” Government Aided Educational Institutions are financed for the purpose of their upkeep and maintenance and upgrade the existing facilities. The repayment terms of the loan is that 50 per cent of the amount of the loan is a Grant and balance amount would be repaid in 15 years in equal monthly installment of Rs 278 per lakh on the sanctioned amount.
“I don’t think so there could be any change in the scheme. Still I will examine but cannot assure anything,” Parrikar said.
