DM sets up panel to crackdown on violations by private/unaided/recognized schools

Ludhiana, February 24, 2026: Acting on a growing number of complaints from parents, students, and social organisations, District Magistrate (DM) Himanshu Jain has constituted a high-level committee to rigorously monitor and enforce compliance among private unaided recognised schools in Ludhiana district.
Chaired by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), the committee comprises the District Education Officer (Secondary), Deputy Controller of Finance and Accounts, and the CMFO. It has been tasked with carrying out regular, detailed inspections of school premises, operations, finances, and adherence to rules. The committee will submit its findings directly to his office and propose strict legal measures against any school found violating government directives.
The complaints centre on several serious and recurring issues: arbitrary and unauthorised increases in school fees, failure to pay teachers their full entitled salaries, collection of illegal capitation fees or other unauthorised charges, deliberate non-compliance with Section 12(1)(c) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 — which requires private unaided schools to reserve 25% of entry-level seats for children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups, offering them free education with government reimbursement — and breaches of the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2016 (as amended in 2019), which strictly regulates fee structures, limits annual hikes, and prohibits profiteering.
Further violations reported include disregard for Sections 16 and 31 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and related Punjab government guidelines (notably Memo No. IEDSS/RMSA/2018/39371 dated 30 August 2018), which mandate inclusive education practices and appropriate facilities for children with disabilities.
All principals and managements of private unaided recognised schools have now been ordered to immediately ensure full compliance. Schools must fully implement the RTE Act, 2009, including the mandatory 25% reservation for EWS and disadvantaged children without any form of screening procedure or capitation fee during admission. Fee structures and any proposed increases are to be governed strictly by the Punjab Fee Regulation Act, 2016/2019, with no arbitrary hikes permitted. No commercial activities of any kind are allowed on school premises. Teaching of the Punjabi language remains compulsory. Physical punishment or mental harassment of any child is completely prohibited. Schools are required to function on a non-profit basis, with annual accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant and a copy of the audited financial statements submitted to the District Education Officer every year. Teacher appointments and salary payments must conform to the norms prescribed by CBSE or the Punjab School Education Board. Full compliance with the RPwD Act, 2016, is mandatory, along with upkeep of valid and unexpired certificates for building safety, fire safety, and potable drinking water. The “Safe Vahan Policy” for school transport must be strictly followed at all times.
The administration has made it unequivocally clear that any failure to adhere to these instructions will invite stringent legal action.