MBBS Fee Fixation Feud in Kerala: Dispute by Private Medical Colleges to continue in Court

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The dispute over fee fixation of MBBS course for the year 2019-20 continues following the recent order given by the Supreme Court. The association of 19 self-financing state medical colleges had moved the apex court against the Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC), challenging its decision of 10% fee hike. However, the apex court junked its plea while directing the association to approach the State High Court first in this regard.

As per the FRC's decision, MBBS aspirants who intend to take admissions in private medical colleges in the state will have to pay 10 per cent more tuition fee for this academic year for MBBS course.

The fee fixation came after engaging in prolonged conflicts among the stakeholders. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the ruling and opposition members had locked horns in the Kerala Assembly over the admission procedures and fixation of fees structure for the medical, dental and allied courses in self-financing medical colleges in the state.

Also Read: Kerala: Delay in MBBS fee fixation for self-financing colleges creates uproar in Assembly

Amidst the ongoing debate over the issue, the FRC Chairman Justice P Rajendra Babu had fixed the MBBS fee and signed orders for 19 self-financing medical colleges on July 6, 2019.

On average, the fee in each medical college has been increased by Rs 50,000. The fee ranges between Rs 5.85 lakh and Rs 7.19 lakh; as decided by the FRC chaired by Justice Rajendra Babu.

The details of the newly decided fee structure for MBBS course read;

Sl.No.	Medical College	Tuition Fee for 2019-20(per annum/per student)	Tuition Fee for 2018-19
1	Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences, Kollam	Rs.6,16,000/-	Rs.5,60,000/-
2	Believers Church Medical College, Thiruvalla	Rs.6,16,000/-	Rs.5,60,000/-
3	DM Wayanad Institute of Medical Sciences, Wayanad	Rs.6,58,900/-	Rs.5,99,000/-
4	Dr.Somervell Memorial CSI Medical College, Karakonam	Rs.6,16,000/-	Rs.5,60,000/-
5	Jubilee Mission Medical College, Thrissur	Rs.6,16,000/-	Rs.5,60,000/-
6	Karuna Medical College, Palakkad	Rs.5,94,594/-	Rs.5,40,540/-
7	KMCT Medical College, Kozhikode	Rs.6,09,400/-	Rs.5,54,000/-
8	MES Medical College, Perinthalmanna	Rs.6,16,000/-	Rs.5,60,000/-
9	PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences, Ottapalam	Rs.6,64,400/-	Rs.6,04,000/-
10	Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Thiruvalla	Rs.6,16,000/-	Rs.5,60,000/-
11	Sree Gokulam Medical College And Research Foundation, Venjaramoodu	Rs.6,16,000/-	Rs.5,60,000/-
12	Sree Narayana Institute Of Medical Sciences, North Paravur, Ernakulam	Rs.7,19,246/-	Rs.6,53,860/-
13	Al-Azhar Medical College and Super Speciality Hospital, Thodupuzha	Rs.6,16,000/-	Rs.5,60,000/-
14	Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thrissur	Rs.6,16,000/-	Rs.5,60,000/-
15	Malabar Medical College, Kozhikode	Rs.6,16,000/-	Rs.5,60,000/-
16	Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College, Kolenchery	Rs.6,16,000/-	Rs.5,60,000/-
17	Mount Zion Medical College, Adoor, Pathanamthitta	Rs.6,11,325/-	Rs.5,55,750/-
18	SUT Medical College, Vattapara, Thiruvananthapuram	Rs.5,85,200/-	Rs.5,32,000/
19	Travancore Medical College, Kollam	Rs.6,16,000/-	Rs.5,60,000/-

The move had apparently created disappointment among private medical colleges over the new MBBS fee structure pegged by the FRC.

The medical colleges had reportedly demanded a hike in the tuition fee for MBBS course ranging between Rs 11 lakh and Rs 20 lakh, stating that they have difficulty to run the medical colleges due to a shortage of fund and increased expenditure.

In this regard, the management had held meetings with the committee earlier this month, however, the colleges failed to provide relevant documents to substantiate their claims.

Subsequently, the committee rejected the demands and released orders stating, "In the absence of the audited financial statements/provisional financial statements for the year 2018-19, the FRC is not in a position to proceed with the fee regulation".

"In the absence of substantiating documents to support the tuition fee claimed by the management and regulate the same, the committee decided to regulate the tuition fee by giving an increase @ 5.51% (which is the combined annual inflation rate as applicable to Kerala, as per government of India's ministry of statistics and programme implementation central statistical office, dated 12 April 2019) on the base fee of 2018-19," added each order signed by the FRC chairman.

Displeased with the decision, the institutes under Kerala Private Medical Colleges Management Association (KPMCMA) had moved the Apex Court.

However, a bench led by Justice SA Bobde, while rejecting their plea stated that though orally observing that though their cause may be valid, the managements should first move the High Court, reports The Hindu.