RTE quota: Parents submit fake income certificates

Bengaluru: In a bid to grab seats for their children under the 25% Right to Education (RTE) free quota in private schools, thousands of families in the city have submitted fake income certificates.

According to data accessed by Deccan Chronicle, parents have submitted certificates quoting annual income as low as Rs 11,000 to get RTE seats. Education and Revenue Department officials are well aware of the fact that no family can survive on such an income. It’s alarming that officials of the State Revenue Department are issuing these bogus certificates.

Thousands of families in the city of Bengaluru have been successful in securing seats for their children under the 25% Right to Education (RTE) free quota by submitting their annual income certificates which are showing amounts between Rs 11,000 and Rs 12,000.

Ironically, officials from the Education Department as well as the Revenue Department have unofficially stated that it is quite absurd that families in the city survive on such an income. "An annual income of Rs 11,000 means Rs 917 a month! Even families dependent upon governmental social security pension schemes receive Rs 1,000 per month. It’s just ridiculous!” said an officer from the Education Department.

”A big fuss was made the previous year about the issuing of fake or false income certificates. As per RTE rules, families with a small income will be given priority while allotting seats. Parents are taking advantage of this policy by submitting false income certificates. Revenue Department officials who have approved these bogus certificates have committed a criminal offence by taking bribes,” he alleged angrily.

Many are of the opinion that the RTE rules are making parents pay bribes to Revenue Department officials to get bogus certificates approved.

“Everyone wants a free RTE seat. As seats are distributed to students from poor families on a priority basis, everyone wants to get hold of a bogus certificate. With more people approaching the Revenue Department with the help of some local leaders, officials are forced to issue such certificates. All certificates that have a Rs 11,000 to Rs. 12,000 annual income must be cancelled at the earliest,” urged another officer from the revenue department.