No coercion, no captive buying: CM Rekha warns private schools
The Delhi Government has directed that every private school must make a clear written disclosure on its notice board, website, and at any in-house store that parents are free to purchase uniforms, books and stationery from any vendor of their choice. The Government made it clear that any violation or irregularity will invite strict action against the school, including a possible government takeover.
As per her directions, every private school must make a clear written disclosure on its notice board, website, and at any in-house store that parents are free to purchase uniforms, books and stationery from any vendor of their choice. She made it clear that any violation or irregularity will invite strict action against the school, including a possible government takeover.
In a stern warning to Delhi private schools, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday vowed the toughest legal action, including takeover, against institutions coercing parents to buy books, uniforms and stationery from a single or designated vendor.
She said every school must state on its notice board, website and at any store it operates that parents are free to purchase uniforms, books and stationery from anywhere. The chief minister has warned that she may carry out surprise inspections at any school.
In a video message, Rekha Gupta said, “I can walk into any private school in Delhi for an inspection, anytime. Every school will state it clearly on its notice board, on its website, and at any store it operates that parents are free to buy uniforms, books and stationery from anywhere. There will be no coercion, no captive buying, and no single-vendor diktat.”
“Ensure this without exception,” she said, adding that any violation, any manipulation, will invite the toughest action available under the law. A takeover is not beyond consideration. My inspections are not a gimmick. They are enforcement in action. They are driven by the voices of parents who have written to me, telling me where I must go next,” she added. “Fixing Delhi is our responsibility. My Delhi, My responsibility,” she added.
In a press statement, the chief minister’s office said the Government stressed that no parent can be compelled to purchase items from the school or from any single designated vendor. Schools may, for convenience, suggest a list of five to six vendors, but no purchase can be made mandatory. She directed officials to ensure full compliance, underlining that this is not a routine instruction but a matter of serious concern. Any deviation, she said, will lead to the strictest possible action, including takeover if necessary.
It also clarified that her inspections are not symbolic but based on complaints and suggestions received from parents. “Parents have written to me indicating where inspections should be carried out next. I will visit all such places where irregularities are reported,” she said, inviting further suggestions from the public. She reiterated that she will personally review the situation wherever violations are found, adding that it is the government’s responsibility to set Delhi’s school system in order and take all necessary steps in that direction.
Acting on complaints, a joint team of the Education and Revenue Departments recently conducted a surprise inspection at Venkateshwar Global School situated in Rohini Sector-13, where serious irregularities were found.
