G.O.(Ms) No.199, COVID-19 Lockdown Fee Instructions, 2020
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Disaster Management Wing, DM II Section, issued G.O.(Ms) No.199 dated 20 April 2020, directing every private college and school in Tamil Nadu not to compel students or parents to pay specified fees during the COVID-19 lockdown. The direction covered fees for the 2020-21 academic year, unpaid dues for 2019-20 and penalties for delayed payment.
What the government order does
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Disaster Management Wing, DM II Section, issued G.O.(Ms) No.199 dated 20 April 2020 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It responded to reports that some private colleges and schools were demanding fees from parents during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The government had already extended restrictions throughout Tamil Nadu to contain the spread of COVID-19. After receiving proposals from the School Education Department, the government issued instructions concerning fee demands during the lockdown.
Who is affected
G.O.(Ms) No.199 applies to all private colleges and schools in Tamil Nadu. It directly concerns:
- Students attending private colleges or schools.
- Parents who are responsible for paying fees.
- Private college and school managements collecting fees.
- The Higher Education Department and School Education Department, which received the government direction.
The document does not establish any rule about land ownership, registration, patta, planning permission, land use or property transactions. Its subject is the collection of private educational institution fees during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Key instructions
During the lockdown period, all private colleges and schools in Tamil Nadu were directed:
- Not to compel students or parents to pay fees for the next academic year, 2020-21.
- Not to compel students or parents to pay pending dues for the academic year 2019-20.
- Not to impose any penalty for delay in paying those amounts during the lockdown.
The wording restricts institutions from compelling payment and imposing delay penalties during the lockdown. The document does not state that the underlying fees or pending dues were cancelled or permanently waived.
Administrative context
G.O.(Ms) No.199 refers to G.O.Ms.No.193 of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department dated 15 April 2020, which extended COVID-19 restrictions within Tamil Nadu. Copies were sent to the principal secretaries responsible for Higher Education and School Education, the Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration, the Chief Minister's Office and the Chief Secretary's office.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Could a private school demand 2020-21 fees during the lockdown?
No. G.O.(Ms) No.199 directed all private schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu not to compel students or parents to pay fees for the 2020-21 academic year during the lockdown.
Did the direction also cover unpaid fees from 2019-20?
Yes. Private colleges and schools were directed not to compel payment of pending dues for the 2019-20 academic year during the lockdown.
Could an institution charge a penalty for delayed payment during the lockdown?
No. The government directed private colleges and schools not to levy a penalty for delay during the lockdown period.
Were the fees permanently cancelled?
The document does not say that fees were cancelled or waived. It says institutions must not compel payment or impose delay penalties during the lockdown.
