Hyderabad Medical Colleges not refunding MBBS fee: Allegations piling up

Hyderabad: The Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) has become the talking point following the allegations claiming that the private medical colleges functioning under the varsity are reluctant to refund the full amount paid by several MBBS candidates, who opted out before the mop-up round.

The Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA) has asked for an action against the same ploy of the said medical institutions.

Earlier, the Health Ministry had issued a circular which stated, "MBBS Students should be allowed to vacate their seats if they wished so before the mop-up round," adding that all these seats relinquished by are eligible for 100 per cent refund.

Accordingly, on August 25, KNRUHS administration sent a mail to all the private medical colleges under it to withdraw their seats before August 27 and in view of the same, the MBBS students resigned their seats.

However, as alleged by the parents and the MBBS aspirants, the medical colleges are not complying with the Ministry's order and are unwilling to refund the full amount. There have been allegations that parents and MBBS aspirants are being made to run from pillar to post to get a refund of the fee.

It has been alleged that colleges are harassing the parents and the MBBS aspirants by releasing only partial fee even as some college managements are withholding their certificates and are not following the guidelines of KNRUHS.

"After the college sent out a mail saying that candidates can let go of their seats before the Mop Up round, we decided to do so. However, the college withheld Rs 1 lakh from the fee we paid and only refunded Rs 11.28 lakh. When we questioned the management about deduction of the remaining amount, they failed to give us any valid reason," a parent alleged while speaking to TOI.

He was later asked by the college authorities to write a letter to the college management over the said issue, but all went in vain.

In response to the issue, the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA) has demanded action against the concerned medical colleges' management, who are unwilling to comply with the ministry's order and are now bothering the MBBS aspirants and their parents.

The association has solely blamed the varsity for this. Dr K Mahesh Kumar, President of HRDA, flayed KNRUHS for its lackadaisical attitude and failure to check violations like seat-blocking, bank guarantee, an excess collection of tuition fees and false transaction of stipend by private medical colleges.

"Since no seat finally remains vacant, there is no reason for them to deduct money. The HRDA urges officials to at least act swiftly from now onwards by taking legal action against private medical colleges which violate the rules and to set up a student grievance cell for immediate action," he told TNIE.

The association president confirmed to TOI that the body will be submitting a representation to the officials once the varsity reopens after the Dasara vacation.

Presenting the university's justification, the Vice-Chancellor, KNRUHS, Dr B Karunakar Reddy informed Deccan Chronicle, "So far, we have not received any written complaint or representation from the parents or the students regarding the fee refund issue. If the students come with a written complaint, we will look into the matter and will speak to the concerned colleges. Ideally, the colleges should return the complete fees after the students withdraw the seats."

Earlier, the university drew a lot a controversy following the last minute Medical Council of India approval to 150 MBBS admissions at Malla Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences (MRIMS). There were allegations that MRIMS, affiliated with KNRUHS, is selling MBBS convenor seats (government quota) under the cover of getting late MCI recognition.

Subsequent to the accusations, the varsity moved the Supreme Court by filing a Special Leave Petition seeking permission to fill 75 convenor MBBS seats.

Read Also: Hyderabad Varsity moves SC to fill up 75 Convenor Quota MBBS Seats at Malla Reddy Medical College