>
Title: Reported hike in fees by the Sainik School authorities.
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN (CHIRAYINKIL): Ordinarily, I won’t get a chance to raise matters at this time.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You are unfair to yourself and to the Chair.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN : In the lunch hours, I will not be in my seat. I would be sitting there. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: That shows your popularity and fairness.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN : I would like to raise an important issue, which is regarding the students who are being taught in the Sainik Schools in the country. There is a general complaint by the Parent Associations that the fees levied is exorbitant high. The students of parents who belong to middle income and low income group cannot afford to pay the fees. Even after getting admission in the Sainik Schools they find it very difficult to pull on.
So, the Government may consider the plight of the parents, who are sending their children to the Sainik Schools. The Government is not a private agency. I can understand a private, self-financing educational institution charging high fees. But I am not able to understand the logic behind the Ministry of Defence charging high fees from these poor students who are studying in Sainik Schools. … (Interruptions)
In my constituency, there is a Sainik School. The parents have approached me directly and explained to me the position prevailing there.
So, I would request the hon. Minister to consider their plight and see that the fees are reduced so that the poor parents of these students can afford to pay the fees. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri P.C. Thomas, you cannot make a speech. You are allowed to associate with what Shri Radhakrishnan mentioned just now.
… (Interruptions)