3 Puducherry medical colleges served notices for high fee; CENTAC calls redressal meeting

NEW DELHI, MAY 11: Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC) Puducherry has called for a grievance redressal meeting after receiving complaints that some colleges have been demanding high fee and are also denying admissions.

On May 9, Puducherry Government also issued show cause notices to three private medical colleges over allegations of demanding exorbitant fees from the students joining PG medical courses. These colleges were charging a higher fee in contrast to the Supreme Court direction which stated that medical colleges have to abide by the government-constituted committee which has fixed the fee to be charged.

The Supreme Court of India last month allowed constitution of the Fee Fixation Committee for Deemed Universities. The Apex Court also clarified that the fee of Rs. 10 lakh would continue until final orders are passed by the Madras High Court after the Fee Committee submits its report.

M Sarathi, Deputy Secretary (Health) has sent notices to Sri Manakula Vinayagar medical college and hospital (SMVMC), Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SVMCH) and Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). The notices were sent after Sarathi’s office received several complaints against these medical colleges. It has been alleged that these colleges demanded excess fees of Rs 7.5 lakh (SMVMC), Rs 3.7 lakh (SVMCH) and Rs 9 lakh (PIMS) respectively as hostel and other fees from the students sponsored by the centralised admission committee (CENTAC).

Kiran Bedi, Lieutenant Governor, Puducherry came down heavily on erring medical colleges. She tweeted, “Medical College Institutions have to abide by these Judicial directions. If Medical Institutions have a problem they should go to Court and not the Students anymore. Now the Govt is behind the students to ensure justice to them.”

Following SC order, the medical institutions in the Union Territory cannot charge more than Rs. 10 lakh for PG (Clinical) courses.

Candidates having problem related to PG admissions have been called to the open house by CENTAC to redress their grievances.

“No option for any Pvt Medical College. Judicial Directions have to be respected. Secretary Health Puducherry, Dr. Candavelu all set to take defaulters to task. Fall in line or face 'Contempt of Court' based on evidence which may come forth from students in the Open House tom,” Kiran Bedi tweeted.

Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC) is the nodal agency for selecting students for professional courses.