Edu-leaders

The Union Cabinet approved the official amendment to the Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Technical Educational Institutions, Medical Educational Institutions and Universities Bill, 2010. The fine for demanding capitation fee has been increased to Rs 1 crore from the proposed Rs 50 lakhs. A new clause has also been added to prohibit recruitment of unqualified teachers and prevent institutions from failing to meet promises made in the prospectus.

The nod was given to amendment based on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development (HRD) for consideration of the Parliament. The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha in March 2010. It was later referred to the standing committee, which submitted its recommendations in May this year.

The objective behind the amendment in the bill is to curtail the element of profiteering in some institutions which are presently beyond the scope of any such regulation. Under the bill, it is mandatory for institutions to disclose information related to admission process by publication of its prospectus.

The student or any other stakeholder can move the tribunal as well as the competent criminal court of law in case the institutions attempts to adopt unfair practices and the burden of proof would be upon the institution.