Bengaluru: Two medical colleges in Bengaluru have been issued a notice by the Admission Overseeing Committee (AOC) directing them to refund the excess fees that they had allegedly collected from the MBBS students.

The stern action by the committee came in view of all the complaints lodged by around 58 MBBS students stating that the East Point College of Medical Sciences, as well as Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, are charging an excess fee over the stipulated amount declared by the Karnataka government on the MBBS course.

According to a recent report by The Hindu, Second-year students admitted at East Point College of Medical Sciences under the institutional quota were asked to pay Rs 80,900, while those in the government quota had to pay Rs 91,800. This is in addition to the Rs 77,500 and Rs 6.33 lakh tuition fees collected from students in the government quota and institution quota seats, respectively.

These students also alleged that they had paid extra fees last year, but the facilities offered by the medial college were of poor quality.

The MBBS students of the Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital also approached the committee alleging that they were asked to pay an additional Rs 1.48 lakh to the medical institute. “Some of the sub-heads under which the management has reportedly sought money include a cricket ground, gym, air conditioners, and a swimming pool fund,” the students alleged to The Hindu

It was also alleged by an MBBS student that one of the medical colleges allegedly threatened to withhold attendance of students who failed to pay the “excess fees”. The medico added that the management said, “Students would be marked absent if they failed to do so.”

Consequently, taking cognizance of the allegations surfaced against the medical institutions, the Admission Overseeing Committee issued a notice to the management of both the medical colleges ordering them to refund the excess fees collected for the MBBS course. It has been directed that if the colleges’ fail to do so, they will be issued a show cause notice asking them as to why any action should not be taken against them.

The committee has also warned the medical colleges that if they don’t comply with the orders given by it, the authority will surely recommend withdrawal of their recognition by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

A parent of one of the MBBS students, on condition of anonymity, also alleged to the daily that those who had not paid the excess fees were asked to not attend classes. “The college has justified collecting the fees stating that they need to buy new equipment. They said that all students should pay the fees latest by 15^th October,” the parent added.

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