Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Apr 5: District Administration, Udhampur, carried out extensive inspection of private schools, stationery shops, sale outlets and counters in view of a series of complaints received from students and parents regarding exorbitant charges and over pricing of books and stationery apart from undue expenses charged under fee component. Cases of tax evasion were also noticed.
Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary constituted a team headed by Addl Deputy Commissioner Agnrez Singh Rana, Chief Education Officer Bishen Singh, Asstt Controlor Legal Metrology Jaideep Sambyal and officers from police and deputed Zonal Magistrates for inspection of the schools and outlets and initiate action.
The team led by A S Rana, Addl DC inspected more than 30 shops and schools and grave irregularities and unfair trade practices were noticed in the day long inspections and accordingly stringent action has been recommended against erring management and businessmen as well. The complaints related to exorbitant fee and overpricing and overcharging of fee and books and stationery were corroborated.
The committee inspected Little Flower Convent School, Happy School, Brahmrishi Shanti Vidyapeeth, KC Gurukul and many other prominent schools in the city along with inspection of booksellers including National Book Depot, Gupta Stationery Mart, Gupta News Agency, Central Book Depot, Gokul Traders etc and it was found that there is a nexus between private schools and shopkeepers wherein original MRP has been erased and MRP of choice has been written; in many instances the books, stationery and dairies were being sold without MRP at the rate of choice of seller.
The cash books and related documents were seized by Inspector of Legal Metrology and notices issued for overcharging which is a punishable offence under Consumer Protection Act-1987.
KC Gurukul School has been booked for selling books in its premises on exorbitant rates, without MRP and indulging in unauthorised trade. Likewise BBSVP School and Gokul Book sellers booked for charging exorbitant rates and pressuring students for particular book sellers, Little Flower Convent School nexus with Gupta News Agency was also booked.
District Administration is finalising the case for recommending to State Vigilance Organisation to register a case of corruption in the matter and parents have been advised to furnish details to Addl Deputy Commissioner.
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