In a significant development in the Delhi Coaching Centre Deaths Case, new draft/model rules have been submitted to the Supreme Court, proposing heavy fines and penalties to regulate the functioning of private coaching institutes.
The draft rules seek to address critical issues related to infrastructure, safety, and student welfare at these institutions.
The model rules was filed by Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave, who was appointed as an amicus curiae (friend of the court) in this matter to assist the court.
Furthermore, model rules focus on establishing a competent authority in each district, headed by the District Magistrate, which would be responsible for the registration and regulation of private coaching institutes.
The Key provisions of the draft rules include mandatory registration, infrastructure and safety standards, student welfare measures among others.
Every private coaching centre would be required to register with the competent authority. Additionally, each institute must disclose the tuition fees for every course offered, which should include all associated costs.
The draft calls fire safety certificate, flood prevention certificate, food prevention measures such as elevating floor levels and water-resistant designs among others.
The student welfare measures include the appointment of a full-time student counselor in every coaching institute.
The model rules also proposes that the government should periodically specify the fees payable by students to coaching centres.
In cases of severe violations, the Competent Authority would have the power to suspend the registration of a coaching institute immediately.
Following this, a show-cause notice would be issued, and the institute would be required to respond to the allegations.
The model rules come in the wake of a tragic incident in July, when three UPSC aspirants died due to flooding in the basement of a coaching centre in Delhi’s Rajendra Nagar area.
The apex court bench led by Justice Surya Kant is expected to hear the matter in coming weeks.
New draft rules submitted to Supreme Court to prevent similar incidents in future
(By Sambhav Sharma)
