Tamil Nadu: Raised fee figures have students opt out of PG counselling

Chennai: Gross differences in the Website fee structure mentioned by self financing colleges and those stated by officials at the 'Post Graduate Counselling' venue, forced students to opt out of the PG medical counselling taking place at appointed places.

A Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital at Anna Salai, witnessed a scene when a student who had arrived at 9.30 am and was cueing in the line for his turn was informed through a medical college representative's announcement that the website figure of Rs 13 lakh was only the tuition fee and did not include hostel accommodation and other fees.

"We were told that it would cost Rs. 25 lakh per year, including hostel accommodation. We said we would stay out of the campus, but she said it was compulsory to stay on campus," said the candidate, who opted out of counselling, on hearing this announcement.

The candidate's relative objected to college representatives being present at the counselling venue. "During engineering counselling, self-financing engineering college representatives cannot come anywhere close to Anna University. Why is such a system not being followed," he wanted to know.

Selection Committee officials responding to the query revealed that representatives were present to enable candidates to assess the facilities in the college of their choice.

Selection Secretary, G. Selvarajan told the Hindu that representatives were also allowed in with the idea of helping students clear their doubts.

Presently, counselling is being held for management quota seats. No representatives of self-financing institutions would be allowed on the premises during counselling for government quota seats, he added.

Management quota seats counselling is to continue followed by counselling for government quota seats . A cleaning up round for left over seats in deemed universities will take place last.