Buckling under pressure from private unaided schools, the State government has finally released Rs 45.6 crore towards reimbursement of a portion of fee for the RTE quota admissions.
A circular issued by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on Thursday, said the amount has been released to various schools in the State as part of the first phase of the payments. The balance will be paid in the second phase.
The funds have been released to deputy directors of public instruction (DDPI), who in turn will disburse it to the respective block education officers (BEOs). The block education officers will make sure that the amount reaches the schools concerned, with due approval from the deputy directors of public instruction.
The block education officers have been asked to obtain details of arrears of fee from schools and the directors of public instruction will consolidate the list.
In cases where the school fee is less than the amount sanctioned, the balance will have to be paid back to the department, according to the circular.
The school managements had been asked to withdraw money within a time frame.
With the process of admission for the Right To Education (RTE) quota set to begin on January 6, the private managements had threatened to do away with the provision unless the government cleared the arrears towards the fee.