SHILLONG: In the wake of media reports airing concern over the impact on students following the Assam Rifles’ alleged decision to close down the renowned Assam Rifles Public School (ARPS), the Assam Rifles authorities have clarified that all out efforts are being made to ensure that the children do not suffer.
The Assam Rifles said that arrangements are being made to enroll students in other ARPSs, in boarding as well as in other schools in the city.
Though a spokesperson with Assam Rifles had earlier said that no final decision had been taken on the closure, the fresh statement indicates that the school at Laitkor is all set to wind up its operations.
Reacting to media reports about the fallout of the move to close down the school from April 1, Assam Rifles PRO Lt Col Rahul Josan said that in 2006, the aggrieved staff appealed to the Gauhati High Court regarding non-implementation of 6th CPC and the Court gave its judgment in favour of ARPS Staff for payment of pay and arrears as per 6th CPC w.e.f. 2006.
The case was taken up by the management with the Supreme Court presenting the financial condition of the School for reviewing the High Court judgment. The Supreme Court passed its judgment in July 2015 in favour of ARPS staff and directed the management to pay the 6th CPC arrears in eight months that is by March 20, 2016.
“The arrears have been paid to the staff as directed by the Supreme Court. The full pay and as per 6th CPC was paid w.e.f. Nov 2015 which included 119% DA,” he said.
He added that the management also had a meeting with the parents of students in presence of the school staff regarding the proposed school fee hike.
“In this meeting a large number of parents were unhappy with the proposed fee hike. All parents were also approached in writing about the proposed fee hike to obtain their willingness but only 15 parents out of 564 agreed to continue,” Josan said.
“As of today a number of parents have asked for TCs. Any reduction in the number of students is likely to further strain the viability of running the School,” he said.
“It was also proposed by the management that since the staff was now getting substantial pay as per 6th CPC, considering the poor financial health of the School, the fees paid by wards of the staff would also be increased. However, the staff flatly refused the proposal. Till date the staff was paying only Rs 3000/- per annum, whereas the jawans of AR, for whom the School was opened, were paying Rs 20,000/- per annum,” he said adding that all this while 20% and 50% concession was offered to the teaching staff & Group D staff respectively keeping their pay scales in view.
