20. [ Permission for establishment of educational institutions: - (1) The competent authority shall, from time to time, conduct a survey as to identify the educational needs of the locality under its jurisdiction, and notify in the prescribed manner through the local newspapers calling for applications from the educational agencies desirous of establishing educational institutions.
(2)In pursuance of the notification under sub-section (1), any educational agency including local authority or registered body of persons intending to -(a)establish an institution imparting education ;(b)open higher classes in an institution imparting primary education;(c)upgrade any such institution into a high school ; or(d)open new courses (Certificate, Diploma, Degree, Post-Graduate Degree Courses, etc.)may make an application, within such period in such manner and to such authority as may be notified for the grant of permission therefor.(3)Any educational agency applying for permission under sub-section (2) shall, -(a)before the permission is granted, satisfy the authority concerned, -(i)that there is need for providing educational facilities to the people in the locality ;(ii)that there is adequate financial provision for continued and efficient maintenance of the institution as prescribed by the competent authority ;(iii)that the institution is proposed to be located in sanitary and healthy surroundings ;(b)enclose to the application, -(i)title deeds relating to the site for building, playground and garden proposed to be provided ;(ii)plans approved by the local authority concerned which shall conform to the rules prescribed therefor ; and(iii)documents evidencing availability of the finances needed for constructing the proposed buildings ; and(c)within the period specified by the authority concerned in the order granting permission, -(i)appoint teaching staff qualified according to the rules made by the Government in this behalf ;(ii)satisfy the other requirements laid down by this Act and the rules and orders made thereunder failing which it shall be competent for the said authority to cancel the permission.(4)On and from the commencement of the Andhra Pradesh Education (Amendment) Act, 1987, no educational institution shall be established except in accordance with the provisions of this Act and any person who contravenes the provisions of this section or who after the permission granted to him under this section having been cancelled continues to run such institution shall be punished with simple imprisonment which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to three years and with fine which shall not be less than three thousand rupees but which may extend to fifty thousand rupees :Provided further that the Court convicting a person under this section shall also order the closure of the institution with respect to which the offence is committed.] [Substituted by Ibid.]
