Karnataka Public School in Mandya accused of charging fees despite free education policy: Report
Mandya: A government-run Karnataka Public School (KPS) in K.R. Pet, Mandya district, has come under scrutiny after accusations surfaced that it has been charging fees from students although the institution is supposed to impart education free of cost.
Parents of students attending the school have alleged that they were being charged between Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000 per student for the academic year. According to a parent quoted by Deccan Herald on Thursday, when they questioned the school authorities, they were told that the fees were being levied because the institution was offering education in English medium.
The fee collection has sparked concern not only among the parents but also within the School Development Monitoring Committee (SDMC), which has complained to the Block Education Officer (BEO) about the alleged practice. However, despite the complaints, no action has reportedly been taken by the BEO so far.
Some students were reportedly issued receipts acknowledging the payment of fees. Interestingly, the receipts were issued under the name of a private coaching institute, DH added.
Additionally, some parents revealed that they were asked to deposit the fees into a joint bank account registered under the names of the SDMC chairman and the school principal.
Puligeraiah, the in-charge principal of the school, who took over duties only on July 1, claimed that he was unaware of the issue.
Meanwhile, the Department of School Education has sought a report from the Mandya Deputy Director of Public Instruction regarding the allegations.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
