SRINAGAR: The Committee for Fixation & Regulation of Fee of Private Schools, J&K (FFRC) has ordered a 14% hike in the transport in the winter as well as summer zone.

The hike has been directed at the amount which the schools were charging in October 2019, and February 2020 respectively

In an order issued here, the FFRC said: "The schools in the winter zone shall be entitled to a hike of 14% in the transport / bus fee, which the schools in the winter zone were charging and collecting in October 2019."

Similarly, schools in the summer zone have been entitled to a hike of 14% in the transport / bus fee, which the schools in the summer zone were charging and collecting in February 2020.

The FFRC said that the Transport Fee hike shall be applicable from March 2022 in both the zones viz; Winter Zone and Summer Zone, when the schools resumed physical class-work after the lockdown.

"The schools whose Transport / Bus Fee by the afore-stated hike crosses Rs.2,000/- shall be entitled to charge and collect only Rs.2,000/- and the aforementioned hike shall restrict the upper limit of Transport / Bus Fee hike to Rs.2,000/-."

All the schools shall faithfully and honestly follow the decision and implement the same in letter and spirit, FFRC said.

"Any school management who in the peculiar circumstances of the school needs Transport / Bus Fee beyond Rs.2,000/-, shall have to submit its proposal to FFRC along with relevant documents with proper justification, to enable it to take a decision thereon per law."

In case of a complaint against any school in observing the FFRC order in breach, it said, immediate action under the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Act 2002 and Jammu and Kashmir Private Schools (Fixation, Determination, and Regulation of Fee) Rules 2022 notified vide S.O. 233 dated 10.05.2022, will be initiated which will include taking penal action against such schools.

The FFRC said that the decisions have been taken after considering all the relevant aspects and after giving thoughtful consideration to the representations made and material provided by the stakeholders.

"In line with statutory prescriptions, it has been resolved that it would be appropriate to allow a hike in Transport / Bus Fee in all the schools."