Student suicides grow in Kota, Rajasthan Cabinet approves Bill to regulate coaching centres

The Bill proposes a penalty of Rs 2 lakh on coaching centres for violation of certain sections, Rs 5 lakh for a subsequent offence, and then eventually cancellation of the centre’s registration if there is a repeat violation.

The ministers said that the Bill had been prepared according to the guidelines issued by the central government after discussions with various stakeholders. To make coaching centres more transparent, a state level portal and a 24×7 helpline will also be set up for counselling of students, they said.

The Bill also proposes setting up a Rajasthan Coaching Institutes (Control and Regulation) Authority. Deputy CM Bairwa said that once the proposed law comes into force, it will be mandatory for every coaching institute to get registered. Coaching centres with 50 or more students will be brought under the legal ambit “and a safe, disciplined and a favourable environment will be provided to the students”, he said. Additionally, a Rajasthan Coaching Institutes (Control and Regulation) Authority will be formed under the chairmanship of the secretary for state’s higher education department, and a district committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the district magistrate.

Patel said: “The suicide cases among youth in Rajasthan, be it in Kota, Jaipur or any other city, is not good for us”. The government, he said, had resolved that “there should be no hatasha (desperation) in the minds of the unemployed youth who are studying”.

“It (suicide) becomes a painful incident in the family for generations. And it’s not good for society either,” he said, adding that the Bill is likely to be tabled in the ongoing budget session itself.

At least 17 students had died by suicide in Kota last year while at least seven have died so far this year. As the number of students dwindles, the city has launched various initiatives to woo them back.

On Saturday, the Cabinet also approved the State Skill Policy, which minister Jogaram Patel said will equip the youth with global skill sets and prepare them for competition while also proving helpful in the industrial development of the state.