Soon,software to track violations by edu institutes

The minister wants to initiate action within a month.

Following an RTI application filed by The Indian Express,MLC Neelam Gorhe had,during the recently concluded session of the assembly,raised the issue of educational institutions misusing plots received from the government at concessional rates. The institutions were violating rules,Gorhe had alleged,and had sought a detailed assessment.

Answers to the RTI application had revealed that some institutes had not even begun work on the land,and some were using the land for purposes other than education. Of the 63 institutions in Pune district that were given land,five from Pune city and Haveli taluka had violated the Maharashtra Land Revenue (Disposal of Government Lands) Rules,1971,and verification for 27 others was under way.

The verification process is proceeding at a snail’s pace. Papers have been found to be missing in the case of some institutes,and some are yet to file their replies,the RTI application revealed. According to the revenue department,violators include Bharati Vidyapeeth (Lohegaon),Kannada Sangh,Maharashtra State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology,Progressive Education Society Modern High School,Mauje Aundh and Dnyaneshwari Shikshan Trust,Yerawada.

According to the rules,government plots are given free of occupancy price and revenue for construction of schools,colleges,hospitals,dispensaries and other public works out of which profit is not expected. The government also gives land for playgrounds in schools and colleges and gymnasiums for 15 years on payment of a nominal lease rent of Re 1 per annum.