Registration renewal: Societies running schools seek more time

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, July 23

The Federation of Private School (Welfare) Association, Haryana, has requested the Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, to extend the last date for renewal of registration of societies.

A large number of schools in the state are being run by societies which have failed to renew their registration. The date for online renewal was March 28.

“The Societies Registration Act, 1860, was amended by the Haryana Government in 2012. Under the amended Act, all registered societies are required to renew their registration. A large number of schools in the state are being run by societies. These societies were taking renewal work casually and failed to get renewal on time,” said Kulbhushan Sharma, association president.

“Recently, the Board of School Education, Haryana, asked schools to submit renewal certificates with affiliation application. These are to be submitted by August 14 without late fee and by August 31 with a penalty of Rs 5,000. This is the first time certificates are being sought. Schools now fear that in case of non-submission of certificates, the board may cancel affiliation. It will be big a setback for students studying in these schools,” he added.

“There are nearly 1,000 private schools affiliated by the board where societies have not got renewal. There are several formalities a society needs to fulfil for smooth running. If registration is cancelled, it will lead to unnecessary harassment to schools, students and parents, besides legal complications. It will become a major problem for schools which are yet to get recognition,” he said.

“The association has requested the Principal Secretary to provide another opportunity by extending the date so that societies can get registration renewed. It will generate revenue for the government as well. We have been told that it is a routine matter. It needs to be approved in the Cabinet meeting. We demand that either the government should extend the date for renewal or the board should extend the time for submission of certificate,” said the association president.