In a decisive move aimed at curbing commercial exploitation in education, Sambhal District Magistrate Dr. Rajendra Pansia, a 2014-batch IAS officer, has imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh each on 33 private schools for forcing students to purchase books from private publishers via exclusive vendors—violating regulatory norms.
The action, taken under the Uttar Pradesh Self-Financed Independent Schools (Regulation of Fees) Act, follows district-wide inspections ordered by DM Pansia. The scrutiny, conducted on April 16 across 34 CBSE and ICSE-affiliated institutions, revealed widespread irregularities, including a marked deviation from the prescribed NCERT curriculum and coercive sale practices involving specific bookshops.
District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) Shyama Kumar confirmed that the inspection reports served as the basis for the penalties. Each of the fined institutions has been directed to remit the amount within seven days and submit proof of compliance to the DIOS office. The District Magistrate has also warned of escalated action against non-compliant schools.
This firm stance underscores the administration’s growing resolve to rein in fee-related malpractice and restore transparency and accountability in the district’s private education sector.
