To hide illegal transactions, private schools charging admission fees without receipts: FFRC

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-06-11 16:01:00 |

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Committee urges parents to report violations; assures confidentiality, strict action under School Education Act

Muhammad Adnan

Srinagar, June 11: The Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) on Wednesday said that various private schools across Jammu and Kashmir were still charging admission fees—often without issuing receipts—to hide illegal transactions of money.

In a fresh directive, FFRC Chairman Justice (Retd) Sunil Hali cited a growing number of complaints from parents and students alleging that private schools continue to demand admission fees despite clear legal prohibitions.

As per the FFRC order, the practice directly contravenes the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Act, 2002 (as amended), which bars private schools from charging any amount beyond the officially approved fee structure.

"Despite repeated directions and warnings issued by this committee in light of the statutory provisions, many private schools persist in collecting donations or admission fees," the FFRC order reads.

The committee flagged a particularly troubling trend—schools receiving admission fees through informal methods and without issuing receipts, deliberately bypassing standard banking channels.

“Such practices are intended to hide the illegal transactions of money,” the order reads.

It reads that the Section 20E(1) of the amended School Education Act clearly prohibits any additional charges, including admission fees, beyond those officially permitted.

"Charging such fees, constitutes a grave violation of the law and invites strict legal action," it reads.

To curb the malpractice and protect the interests of parents and students, the FFRC has appealed to the parents and the students to report such violations directly.

"Complaints can be submitted via email at chairmanffc@gmail.com or by calling the committee’s official helpline numbers— 0194-4034841 (Srinagar) and 0191-2956990 (Jammu)," it reads.

The FFRC has assured complainants that their identities will be kept strictly confidential to ensure their safety.