The Jharkhand government has notched a significant victory for student welfare with Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar’s assent to the Coaching Center Control and Regulation Bill. Passed by the assembly last August, the new law clamps down on the unruly coaching sector plaguing the state.
Spurred by heartbreaking student suicides, deadly fires, substandard amenities, fee gouging, and rampant unauthorized growth, the act mandates registration for any institute coaching 50+ students in academic or competitive programs. Entities from individuals to companies can operate, but only after rigorous vetting.
A robust enforcement mechanism includes District Coaching Center Regulatory Committees under Deputy Commissioners and a statewide authority. They scrutinize applications detailing facilities, fees, assessments, refunds, and transfers. All centers get six months to register post-enactment; delays or non-compliance invite heavy penalties—Rs 5 lakh first offense, Rs 10 lakh subsequent, plus potential blacklisting for financial misconduct.
Parents and students gain dedicated grievance forums at local levels for swift resolutions. By standardizing operations and imposing accountability, Jharkhand sets a precedent for other states grappling with coaching chaos, prioritizing young lives over profit-driven negligence.