Delhi minister Atishi announced on Wednesday that the basements of 30 coaching centers have been sealed, and 200 more institutes operating classes and libraries illegally in their basements have been given notices. Among the coaching centers sealed are Drishti IAS, Vajiram, Sriram IAS, Sanskriti Academy, and IAS Gurukul.
Atishi provided an update on the government’s actions following the deaths of three civil service aspirants in a flooded coaching center basement. She stated that a junior engineer responsible for maintaining drains, preventing encroachment, and stopping illegal activities has been terminated from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Additionally, an assistant engineer in charge of ensuring proper drainage and adherence to building regulations has been suspended.
“Action has been taken against these two officers. I want to assure the people of the country and Delhi that we will take action against any officer, irrespective of rank, who is found guilty in the inquiry. The magisterial inquiry report will come in six days, and there will be strict action,” the minister told a press briefing.
As a long-term solution, Atishi said the Delhi government plans to introduce a law to regulate all coaching institutes in the city. A committee of officials and students from coaching hubs will be formed to create regulations for these centers. The new law will specify infrastructure requirements, teacher qualifications, and also regulate the fees charged by coaching institutes.
The three civil services aspirants died in the flooded basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar, a central Delhi coaching hub, following heavy rain on July 27.
On Tuesday, students began an indefinite hunger strike to demand action in the case. Over 400 students have been protesting for the past three days, despite heavy police presence.
