New Delhi: Parents who do not send their children to school will have to pay heavy fines under a draft bill on an ambitious compulsory primary education programme of the Government.

The draft 'Free and Compulsory Education Bill 2003' circulated to political parties, says employment or engagement of a child preventing him or her from attending school is not permissible and no fee or any other charges should be levied on any child for attending an "approved" school run by governments.

The progressive measure, which is a follow up to a Constitution amendment making education a fundamental right, also makes it obligatory on the part of elite schools to admit 20 per cent of their children belonging to "below poverty line" group.

A person violating the provisions will be punished with a fine, which may extend to Rs 500 and in case of continuing violation, with an additional fine of upto Rs 50 for each day.

"No court shall take cognisance of an offence under this Act except on the complaint of the competent authority or attendance authority or any other person authorised in this behalf by the local authority by general or special order", said the Bill aimed at providing free and compulsory education to children in the age group of six to 14 years.

In case of children, who are without parents or guardians, the local authority within whose jurisdiction the child resides shall be deemed to be its guardian.

PTI