Karnataka: Extra Fees upto 2 lakh being charged by private medical colleges

Bengaluru: Private colleges seem to be charging way beyond what has been fixed as a prescribed fee.

The commencement of session had the parent body sit up in shock when additional amounts ranging between Rs. 45,000 to 2 lakhs was asked for by colleges.

"College representatives were around at the Karnataka Examinations Authority(KEA), during counselling, but did not mention any extra fee," a parent said.

In her son's case, the college asked for an additional Rs 2 lakh towards 'college fee', saying the Rs 6.32 lakh paid earlier, was just the tuition fee.

When admissions began this season, parents sat up, with colleges demanding additional amounts ranging between Rs 40,000 and Rs 2 lakh.

"College representatives were around at the Karnataka Examinations Authority during counselling, but did not mention any extra fee," a parent said.

"I was shocked and had to scramble to arrange for the amount," she said.talking about the extra sum charged.

A tuition fee of Rs 77,000 for government-quota seats and Rs 6.32 lakh for institutional seats in private colleges was fixed by the government.

"Whatever tuition fee is notified by the government on the KEA website is the official fee. Apart from this, colleges are permitted to collect only hostel, mess and university fees," said Dr. S Sachidananda, Director of Medical Education.

Library, sports and other fees have been factored into the tuition fee, he explained.

The exorbitant overcharges have made The Admission Overseeing Committee write to the colleges, asking them to submit detailed fee structures. JJM Medical College, Davangere, has replied it collects an additional Rs 1.54 lakh in the first year and Rs 1.31 lakh each in the second, third and fourth years.This is broken up into the library, development, sports, miscellaneous and other fees.

An additional Rs 1.13 lakh as the clinical fee is paid by candidates for institutional seats.

Similarly, Shridevi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital, Tumakuru, claims to collect Rs 68,650 extra as admission, library, and practical records fees.

Retired Judge, Justice Anand Byrareddy, Head, Admissions Overseeing Committee, said, "We were told by the government that colleges could collect only hostel, mess and university fees in addition to the tuition fee. But they have not specified what tuition fee includes, so there is still no clarity, "reports Deccan Herald.