Meghalaya Govt orders exemption of hostel fees during lockdown period

Guwahati: Keeping in view the ongoing pandemic situation, the Government of Meghalaya has now directed the Government, Government-aided and privately-owned hostels in the state to cease and desist from charging rent from students during the period of the lockdown, beginning in April this year.

The Government order undersigned by Chief Secretary M.S. Rao specified that "if any proprietor is found guilty of violating the instant directions, he/she shall be liable for action under the provisions of Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2015, and under the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and regulations framed thereunder."

However, Rao's order clarified that the exemption will only apply to those students who are not currently using the hostel facilities.

In needs mention here that owing to the special circumstance, the Meghalaya Government has ordained that in Government, Government-aided, deficit, and deficit pattern institutions, no tuition fees should be collected from below poverty line families or those who have been directly impacted by the lockdown for the months of March, April, and May.

Additionally, the Government has ordered a 50% reduction in school/college fees for children from the BPL and also those who lost their livelihoods during the lockdown.

At the same time, the Government has directed that no fees other than tuition fees shall be collected from all students.

In cases where the institutions have already charged fees in advance, it will be adjusted in the forthcoming months, directed Rao.

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