Srinagar, Mar 5 : The Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) in Jammu and Kashmir has issued a final 15-day ultimatum to 660 private schools in the Kashmir division for failing to submit documents pertaining to the regulation of their fee structures, officials said on Thursday.
An official told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the committee, chaired by retired Justice Sunil Hali, noted that the institutions have persistently ignored previous communications, resulting in a willful violation of statutory provisions under the J&K School Education Act, 2002.
The non-compliance has raised concerns regarding the commercialization of education and a disregard for regulatory oversight, the official added.
Citing Section 20-C(3) of the Act, the FFRC warned that schools failing to submit their complete fee regulation files within the stipulated period will face an immediate restraint order. The order would bar them from collecting any fees—including tuition, annual, and transport charges—from students until formal approval is granted.
The committee has also cautioned that continued defiance could lead to stricter punitive actions. This includes the suspension of institutional recognition and the imposition of fines ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 for repeated violations under the J&K Private Schools Rules, 2022.
Officials said the FFRC has advised parents and guardians to verify the approval status of a school’s fee structure with the committee before making any payments after the deadline expires. (KNS)
