The Karnataka state government is apparently clueless regarding taking measures against private engineering colleges for wrongfully overcharging the students much against the law governing the charging of academic fees. The government is practically helpless in this regard for its inability to take corrective measures in spite of being willing to check their abominable financial strategies.
When higher education minister R V Deshpande was asked why the engineering colleges continue to charge such astronomical fees, he replied “It is like asking why murders happen even though section 302 exists in the country.”
As a matter of fact Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) had earlier affixed the maximum fees limit to be Rs 33000 which the college can collect from a student. Instead the college authorities fleece students by collecting extra fees under multiple heads. These fees often run up to in excess of Rs 60000 which is collected under as many as 75 heads in order to uncomplicated the issue.
Earlier this year the government seemed resolved enough to end the crisis for sure and put an end to the illegal flourishing trade in the name of education. Accordingly the state government also formed a single member committee in this regard to probe the matter thoroughly which sadly came up with no fruitful results. The report submitted last year by a committee updating the state of affairs in the private engineering colleges is also gathering dust and awaits implementation.
KEA had announced a few weeks ago about its intention to categorize colleges into groups that can charge Rs 10000, Rs 15000 and Rs 20000 respectively based on the infrastructure they possess. But Deshpande denied of making any such comments regard the matter. When enquired further he said, “Leave that matter upon us. We know well what to do. Colleges can also find themselves disaffiliated if they are found to be guilty of the charges labelled against them.”
As the government affirmed of fixing the fees to a standardized value, on the other hand Karnataka Unaided Engineering Colleges Association general secretary had something contrary to retort back. He said, “Nothing has been finalized yet in this regard as talks are still on to settle the issue.”
Interestingly the private colleges have been asked to brandish the entire list of students admitted by them in the current academic session on their websites by 15th August. The list must also include the minute details of the fees charged by the college including the breakup of the entire fees.
Any student who finds that the college has charged in excess of the stipulated amount, he may complain about the matter to the state education authorities. If proven, the college will oblige to the orders given by the state education department and refund the amount to the student as soon as possible.
The chairman of the one-member committee, S K Saidapur urged students to stay positive of observing changes in the system. “I have just taken charge and hope to reveal my contact details in the near future. Till then students can get in touch with the committee through a new website as well as Facebook page,” he said.