Maharashtra fees Act likely to be amended

Mumbai: Treading cautiously on the school fees issue, the state is considering amending the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Act,

2011

, in a bid to provide relief to students and parents. However, a final decision will be taken after the cabinet meeting scheduled next week, said a senior official.

The school fee issue is likely to come up for discussion a third time at the cabinet meeting. Addressing the media after last week’s meeting,

minister for school

education Varsha Gaikwad had said the government would issue a notification instructing all private schools to reduce fees by 15% within a day or two. However, no notification has been issued so far.

On Wednesday, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had a discussion with the state advocate general and senior officials from the school education department where the issue was reviewed. The legal aspects and mechanism for implementation and monitoring if the state directed private schools to reduce fees were among issues that were discussed. “However, no concrete decision was arrived at,” said an official. Gaikwad was not available for comment despite repeated attempts.

Sources said after hearing from the AG, Thackeray asked the education department to table a draft ordinance, suggesting amendments in the Act.