Fees in self-financing medical colleges can go up to Rs 22 lakh

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the Supreme Court rejecting the government's plea against the move to charge exorbitant fees in self-financing medical colleges, students and parents are pinning their hopes on the fees fixed by the high court.

The fee of 6.22-7.65 lakh in 19 self-financing colleges was fixed by the Justice Rajendrababu committee while the demand of managements is 11-22 lakhs. The students got admission by giving an affidavit that they would pay higher fees. The fees demanded by the managements have been notified by the Government as per the High Court order. This year's fee will be as per the final order of the High Court.

The fees demanded by the managements are unaffordable for the poor children who have topped the ranks after hard work. In addition to the tuition fee, there is a special fee of Rs 70,000 and a hostel fee of Rs 1 lakh. When all these are added together, the expense will be over a crore. Only the rich can spend so much money on studies. Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed that the fees should be fixed on the basis of the financial capacity of the students. Accordingly, the government has fixed a fee under Rs 9 lakh. The self-financing managements then filed a case in the High Court against this and obtained an order to notify the fees demanded by them.

According to the Parents' Association of Medical Students, talented and ordinary students are unable to enroll in medical-related courses. Even the deemed universities do not charge such high fees. In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, 50% of students can study for less than Rs 2 lakh.

Opaque figures

PK Das College, which had demanded Rs 22 lakh, reduced the fee to Rs 16 lakh two days after the government issued the notification.

Three fee structures of 14, 15, 16 lakhs were given to the government by the Kozhikode KMCT and Rs 12 lakhs was demanded for notification.

The management rejected the fees fixed by the High Court-appointed committee after examining the revenue and expenditure records of the colleges.

If the fee increases, there are many ill effects

1) Talented students with high ranks will not participate in the allotment. Opportunities will be created for wealthy students who rank below them.

2) Admission is based on NEET rank in 100% seats to prevent bribery. As talented students withdraws, the way will be paved for bribery.