'Bring no politics in Rajinder Nagar tragedy', says Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

NEW DELHI: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed parliament about the existing guidelines for running coaching centres and asked the state governments to ensure they are followed.

The Minister was replying to the debate in the Parliament regarding the Delhi Civil Service Coaching Center disaster in which three students, including a Malayali, died. Allegations have been raised in both the Houses of Parliament against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi. A brief discussion was also held in the Rajya Sabha.

In the Lok Sabha, K.C Venugopal raised the issue.

“Some coaching centres operate like mafia. Many don't even have licenses and lack the necessary facilities. The coaching centre where the tragedy occurred was operating illegally. Action should be taken against such centres.” Venugopal also asked if there are guidelines.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan clarified that comprehensive and detailed guidelines were given to all states in January. States like Rajasthan, Bihar, and Goa have implemented their guidelines. The minister said the states have more responsibility in matters like this and requested members to not drag in politics over the issue.

Shashi Tharoor blamed the violation of basic norms like building codes, fire safety and flood safety led to the disaster. The Thiruvananthapuram MP asked the government to speed up work including cleaning the drains, to avoid such calamities.

Rajya Sabha Speaker Jagdeep Dhankar pointed out that coaching centres are exploiting the ambition of students commercially.

Bansuri Swaraj, a BJP member from New Delhi, accused the AAP government of being responsible for the tragic death of three students in the Rajinder Nagar coaching centre.