Coaching classes to revolt against new law aimed at their regulation

Coaching classes to revolt against new law aimed at their regulation
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

AURANGABAD, SEPT 10: Over 1,000 coaching-class owners, including the controversial Chate's classes, have come on a common platform in Marathwada to air their grievances against some provisions in the proposed act that is being formulated by the State Government to prescribe rules for the regulation of the coaching classes.

Interestingly, Chate -- whose recent stand-off with State Education Minister Anil Deshmukh had brought into focus the whole issue of coaching classes -- has found considerable favour with members of the newly-formed forum, the Marathwada Coaching Classes' Association.

The Association, led by its president Nanasaheb Jadhav, known to be a close friend of Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh, holds the view that coaching classes should be treated on par with schools and colleges while bringing them under the purview of the law.

The Education Minister had last month, hinted that the classes would be required to seek as many as 22 different no-objection certificates before starting their business, under the proposed act. Moreover, while there would be a heavy first-time registration fee, almost to the tune of Rs 50,000, its validity would last for just about three months.

Needless to say, this provision has been opposed by the coaching- classes, who have pointed out the fact that unlike other educational institutions, they receive no grant or aids from the State Government.

Talking to The Indian Express, a senior member of the newly-formed Association, Pramod Pawar, said, ``We are self-employed people. Instead of encouraging us, we fear the Government is only putting hurdles in our way. There is no reason why we should be looked upon so suspiciously in spite of our professional and tax-payment record.,

According to sources, while similar associations have been formed in other parts of the State, the Marathwada forum is expected to take a lead in initiating a powerful agitation on the issue. This is on account of the presence of Chate, and the fact that Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh too belongs to the region, the sources added.