In a scathing attack on the BJP-led Delhi Government, Senior AAP leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, condemned the concealment and unilateral introduction of the proposed Fee Regulation Bill. She pointed out that the BJP government is deliberately bypassing democratic processes by planning to introduce the Bill through an ordinance—without any public consultation, stakeholder engagement, or legislative scrutiny.
“This Fee Regulation Bill has been kept hidden by the BJP. No parent, lawyer, MLA, or even any Delhi resident has seen this bill. Why is it being concealed? If this bill is in the interest of parents, then why hasn’t it been shown to them? Why hasn’t it been uploaded on the website? Why hasn’t public feedback been invited?” questioned Atishi.
The AAP Legislative Group has formally demanded that the BJP government convene a Special Session of the Delhi Assembly to introduce the Fee Regulation Bill. Atishi stressed that the Bill must be referred to a Select Committee consisting of members from both AAP and BJP, and that comprehensive public consultations must be held before it is passed.
“There was talk of a Fee Regulation law, but no one has seen the draft till date. Parents spoke in one voice: the fee law must not be brought in through an ordinance. The draft bill should be made public, their opinions must be heard, and only then should the bill be passed,” she said.
Calling out the BJP’s opaque tactics, Atishi remarked, “This may be the first time in Delhi’s history that such a significant law or policy is being brought without any public feedback. Hiding the draft of a law like this only shows one thing—something is seriously sketchy with it. This bill isn’t meant to reduce school fees or to regulate private schools. It’s being brought in to protect private schools.”
With Education Minister Ashish Sood confirming that the Bill will not be tabled in the Assembly, Atishi said, “The BJP Government is going to any lengths to shield Delhi’s private schools—now sneaking in the Fee Regulation Bill through an ordinance, bypassing the Assembly. This move is anti-parent and pro-private school.”
Atishi highlighted that if the BJP were truly interested in protecting parents, the bill would have been tabled in the Assembly where MLAs, lawyers, parents, and activists could have voiced their opinions. “Parents were waiting. We too were waiting for this bill to be tabled in the Delhi Assembly. Once tabled, it would have come before MLAs, lawyers, parents, and activists. We could’ve voiced our opinions in the Assembly. Parents would have given their feedback. Lawyers and experts could have offered their views,” she said.
Criticising the BJP’s motives behind the ordinance, she asserted, “This bill is not being brought to audit schools. It is not being brought to regulate them. This bill is being brought only and only to protect private schools. That’s why it was first hidden from the public, and now, instead of placing it before the Assembly, it’s being sneaked in through an ordinance.”
On behalf of the AAP Legislative Group, Atishi laid out a four-point demand:
- The BJP Government must immediately call a Special Session of the Delhi Assembly.
- The Fee Regulation Bill must be tabled in the Assembly for open debate.
- The Bill should be referred to a Select Committee comprising members from both BJP and AAP.
- The Select Committee must conduct large-scale public consultations with parents, teachers, auditors, and legal experts. Only after incorporating their feedback should the Bill be passed.
“We as a strong opposition will continue to raise the voice of the people on this matter,” she affirmed.
Atishi concluded with a strong warning to the BJP: “If the Bill is brought as an ordinance—without any debate or public consultation—it will just confirm the suspicion of the people of Delhi that the BJP Government is protecting the interests of private schools, not the parents.”
