Delhi LG Sets Up Committee to Address Coaching Institute Issues

Delhi LG VK Saxena directed a committee to address issues faced by coaching institutes and students, including regulation, fire clearances, and exorbitant rentals. This follows a meeting after the tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants. The committee will prepare action plans and initiate site visits for a new educational hub.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has tasked the Chief Secretary of Delhi with leading a committee that includes representatives from coaching institutions, students, and relevant departments. This committee aims to tackle pressing issues such as exorbitant rental fees, fire clearances, and the desilting of drains. The objective is to foster a conducive environment for educational activities.

This initiative follows a meeting held on July 30, involving senior management from over 21 private coaching institutes, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), the Vice-Chairman of Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and student representatives. The gathering was convened in response to the tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants due to flooding at a coaching center on July 27. The LG emphasized the need for formulating a regulatory framework and guidelines for coaching institutions, mirroring central government standards.

The Vice-Chairman of DDA is set to organize site visits to potential locations in Narela and Rohini for establishing an education hub that will accommodate all coaching institutions. Additionally, any coaching institute operating a library or teaching facility in a basement will be shut down immediately. Short-term solutions will see institutes providing reading spaces for affected students.

The federation of coaching institutes has pledged compensation to the families of the deceased students and agreed to offer fee discounts to currently enrolled students who have been emotionally impacted. The LG also proposed the creation of a portal with Aadhar-based log-in credentials for all coaching institutions to maintain a transparent database.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will add a link to their portal for online fire clearance applications to assist coaching institutions facing regulatory challenges. The Commissioner of Police has been instructed to clamp down on inflated rental charges and mandatory cash transactions designed to evade taxes. The LG indicated that he would review the progress within a fortnight.