Roll back privatisation of Sainik Schools: Kharge urges President

NEW DELHI: Congress president Malikarjun Kharage in a letter to the President has urged her to roll back the privatisation of Sainik Schools. He also requested President Droupadi Murmu to annul agreements signed for opening Sainik Schools on the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

"Sainik Schools are being privatised using a new PPP model. Now 62% of these schools are said to be owned by the BJP-RSS leaders. The INC demands the complete roll back of this privatisation policy and annulment of these MoUs, so that children studying at Armed Forces Schools retain desired character, vision and honour required for the service of the nation," the Congress said on its X account. The decision to start Sainik Schools on PPP model was taken in 2021.

Kharge said agreements have been signed for 40 out of the 100 new schools, on this model (PPP).” As per the new model, the union government provides "an annual fee support of 50% of fee – subject to an upper limit of Rs 40,000 per annum – for 50% of the class strength up to 50 students from Class 6 to 12 on merit-cum-means basis".

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He added that of the 40 agreements that have been signed, 62% have been signed with individuals and organisations belonging to the “RSS- BJP-Sangh Parivar”. This includes a chief minister's family, several MLAs, BJP office-bearers and RSS leaders, he added.

Calling the police a step to politicise the independent Sainik Schools, he said. “The INC demands the complete rollback of this privatisation policy and annulment of these MoUs.”