RTE Admissions in Jaipur Face Verification Hurdles After Councillor Terms End
Parents applying for admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) quota in Jaipur are encountering significant challenges in securing address verification documents, leading to confusion and delays. The issue has arisen following the conclusion of municipal councillor terms, which has left many applicants without access to authorized signatories.
Online Form Requirements and Parental Struggles
The online RTE application form mandates an address certificate alongside address proof if the ward number has changed during delimitation. However, numerous parents report being unable to obtain signatures from councillors, sarpanches, or booth level officers (BLOs). Imran Khan, a resident of Adarsh Nagar, highlighted the problem, stating, "While filling out the form online, there is a requirement to submit an address certificate along with address proof if the ward was changed during delimitation. When I take the form to the councillor, they say they cannot sign as their term ended and BLOs are not available. There should be clear guidelines on how to get the documents checked."
Parental Representation and Official Clarifications
The Sanyukt Abhibhavak Sangh, representing parents, raised this matter in a meeting with education officials last month, particularly after Jaipur was consolidated under a single municipal corporation. Officials clarified that the verification certificate is only necessary if the ward number is not mentioned in any address proof submitted by the applicant. An official from the education directorate explained, "An applicant can submit different documents as address proof, such as an Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Jan Aadhaar, power or water bill, provided the ward number is mentioned. If the ward number is not mentioned in the address proof that the applicant is submitting, then the verification certificate is needed."
Authorized Signatories and Verification Options
Officials added that verification can be conducted by various authorized individuals, including:
- Councillors
- Sarpanches
- Ward panches
- Booth level officers (BLOs)
- Any gazetted officer
Despite these options, the absence of clear operational guidelines post-councillor term expiration has exacerbated the situation, leaving parents in a state of uncertainty. The delays in document processing could potentially impact admission timelines for many students under the RTE quota, emphasizing the need for streamlined procedures and better communication from authorities.
