India, Oct. 17 -- Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Saturday warned private schools against forcing parents to purchase books, uniforms and other educational materials from specific shops, saying strict action would be taken against institutions violating the rules.

Speaking to reporters during her visit to Banihal, Itoo said no private school had the authority to compel parents to buy school-related items from a particular vendor.

She said the practice placed an unnecessary financial burden on parents and urged them to report such instances to the concerned Directors, the Secretary of the Education Department or the minister herself.

Itoo said a committee had been constituted to monitor such practices and examine com...