Putting an end to arbitrary fee hikes by private schools, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday unanimously passed by voice vote the Punjab Regulation Of Fees Of Un-Aided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for stronger protection of students and parents against excessive and opaque fee collection.

Under this legislation, private schools will not be allowed to increase fees by more than 5% in a new academic session, while every amount collected from parents under any head will be treated as fee and brought under regulation. The Punjab Government will also conduct forensic audits of private schools to identify excess collections and ensure that the additional amount is refunded to parents, with violations attracting fines of ₹50,000 for the first offence, ₹1 lakh for the second and cancellation of affiliation for the third.

Taking aim at the previous Congress government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that during Covid, when schools were shut and vehicles were not operating, parents were still forced to pay transport fees, making it clear that such exploitation would no longer be allowed in Punjab. The Chief Minister said his government will neither allow education to become a business nor let education mafias flourish in the state.

Winding up debate on the bill, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Money can be usurped by people like Vijay Malya but education cannot be snatched away from anyone. Earlier there was a sharp divide in the books, curriculum and teachers of the government and private schools. These schools were relegated to mid day meal centres in the state but these schools have been transformed now by the state government.”

Calling the bill important for the future of the state and its students, the Chief Minister said, “The bill is aimed at giving major relief to the students and their parents. Unfortunately, under the previous regimes, the private institutes had forced the students and their parents to give huge fees to them thereby jeopardizing the entire education system. As per the guidelines of the Apex Court, the educational institutes cannot mint money in the name of education by charging the fees in multiple accounts. Forensic audit will be conducted to ascertain the fee collected by these institutes in any mode.”

He said, “The bill caps annual fee hikes at 5% and any increase beyond it shall require prior approval of the regulatory body. Further, the private schools that have increased fees by more than 15% in aggregate over the last three years shall be required to refund the excess amount collected from parents. The move will regulate private school fees, enforce transparency and accountability and protect over 32 lakh students and their families from unjustified financial burden.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It marks a decisive step by the Punjab Government to curb profiteering in the education sector and ensure that private schools function in the interest of students and parents rather than commercial gain. Education is a noble and sacred endeavour and it is a public good, not a commercial enterprise to be exploited for profit. Ensuring access to quality education for each student of the state is the topmost priority of the Punjab government.”

The Chief Minister stated, “More than 32 lakh students are currently enrolled in nearly 7,800 private schools across Punjab and the bill is aimed at protecting their interests. Students and their families will receive robust protection and safeguards against arbitrary fee increases, alongside complete transparency in the operation of these institutions. Punjab has surpassed Kerala in the field of education due to the concerted efforts of the state government.”

He said, “With this historic decision, if any private school violates the Act then they will have to submit a fine of ₹50,000 on first violation and ₹1 lakh on second violation. Third violation will lead to cancellation of affiliation of school along with other harsh actions to safeguard the interests of the students. Any penny being given by the parents will be considered as a fee and any extra fee charged in three years will be given back to people.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Our government has already broken the backbone of every unholy nexus in the state and they will not allow the Education mafia to mushroom up in the state. All charges collected from students, including transportation, building fund and other miscellaneous fees, will be treated as part of the tuition fee for the purpose of regulation. The state government will not allow education to become a commercial enterprise and a District Regulatory Committee, headed by the Deputy Commissioner, will examine and regulate all fee hike proposals.”

The Chief Minister noted, “During the Covid era when Congress was in power, parents were forced to pay transport fees despite the fact that no school was open and no vehicle plied. This bill is imperative for the well being of the students and to safeguard the interests of their parents, who should not be treated as raw material for minting money. The efforts of the state government have already borne fruit when in 2026 NEET exam as many as 882 students cleared the exam whereas in 2021 a mere 80 students were able to do so.”

In a historic decision for the welfare and rights of employees, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday unanimously passed the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel (Transition to Contractual Engagement) Bill, 2026, with CM Bhagwant Singh Mann announcing an end to the decades-old system of contractual outsourcing and exploitation of employees in government employment.

The landmark legislation will eliminate the role of private contractors, bring 26,000 to 28,000 outsourced employees into direct contractual engagement with the government in the first phase, and extend PF (Provident Fund), Gratuity, ESI (Employees’ State Insurance), Maternity Leave and Casual Leave benefits to eligible workers, while ensuring that the 15% to 22% commission charged by outsourcing agencies is no longer deducted from their earnings.

Addressing the Vidhan Sabha, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab State Outsourced Personnel (Transition to Contractual Engagement) Bill, 2026 is a historic decision in favour of employees. This is one of the biggest decisions in Punjab’s history for the welfare and rights of employees. From today, the decades-old system of contractual outsourcing in Punjab will come to an end. The role of private contractors in government employment will be eliminated, establishing a direct relationship between the government and workers.”

Highlighting the contribution of outsourced workers, the Chief Minister noted, “Thousands of contractual outsourced workers in Punjab have dedicated several years of their lives to serving the state. These workers have also made a significant contribution to Punjab’s progress and prosperity and to ensuring that the government’s welfare schemes reach those in need. However, the constant uncertainty created by the presence of contractors has always remained a sword hanging over the workers’ heads, adversely affecting their jobs and their lives.”

He affirmed, “Today, AAP government has given these workers what they truly deserve. These employees will no longer remain ‘Outsourced’; they will become ‘In-sourced’ employees, meaning they will become members of the government family.”

Describing the Bill as a step towards ending contractual exploitation, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It will end the exploitation of humans in the form of contractual service. Eligible outsourced employees working in government departments and government-controlled institutions will be brought directly under contractual engagement by the government.”

He pointed out, “The Bill will apply to eligible outsourced employees in Group-C and Group-D categories who are engaged in essential public services and fulfil the prescribed eligibility conditions. In the first phase, approximately 26,000 to 28,000 outsourced employees will immediately benefit from this initiative.”

Outlining the benefits for employees, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Remuneration paid to employees will not be less than their existing salary or the legally prescribed Minimum Wages, whichever is applicable. They will receive the benefits of Provident Fund (PF) and Gratuity, will be entitled to ESI benefits, will receive the benefit of Maternity Leave and, like regular employees, they will be entitled to 10 days of Casual Leave per year. Like regular employees, they will have an iHRMS account, ensuring greater transparency in their service records and employment.”

Emphasising the direct financial benefit to workers, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The 15% to 22% commission currently charged by outsourcing agencies will no longer be deducted as an agency commission and the corresponding benefit will accrue to the employees.”