Members of Forum Against Commercialisation of Education (FACE) who had gone on an indefinite hunger strike from January 15 against arbitrary fee hikes by city schools called it off last evening after they were given assurance by Education Minister Rajendra Darda to work on their demands.

The members had asked the state government to put into action the School Fee Regulation Act with immediate effect, to make the school admission process transparent and to increase the limit for economically backward class (EBC) from Rs 15,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

Eight members from FACE met Darda yesterday at 4 pm to discuss their demands. According to the members, the one and a half hour meeting went smoothly and allu00a0 three demands were accepted by the minister.

However, Darda did mention in the meeting that since admissions have already started for this year and will get over by February, he will work on bringing transparency into the system for May when admissions start again.

Dr. Vivek Korde, President of FACE said, "The poor should have access to English medium schools and so their EBC limit should be Rs 1 lakh.
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Darda has assured the committee will work on this."

Meanwhile, Darda also said that they have worked out a draft on fees, which has been sent to the law and judicial department.

"I have told the members of the forum that this government is sensitive. We will try to bring maximum transparency in the admission level as well," he said.

Ek Cutting!
1st hunger strike
The actual mention of hunger strike appears in the Ayodhya Kanda, in Sarga (section) 103. Bharata has gone to ask the exiled Rama to come back and rule the kingdom. Bharata tries many arguments. When it doesn't work, he goes on a hunger strike.

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