Institutions to face punitive action for refusing to refund fee to students: UGC

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a letter regarding the refund of fees and return of original documents to the students.

In July, UGC announced the fee refund policy 2022-23 wherein the educational institutions are required to return the entire fee, including all charges, on account of cancellations of admissions and migration of students. Currently, any institution or university that is found to be violating the fee refund policy by giving its interpretations of guidelines will be liable for punitive actions as per the UGC notification.

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The institutions can face the following actions if they violate the policy:

• As per UGC act, 1956, the university, institution can face the withdrawal of declaration of fitness to receive any grants.
• Any grant already allocated to the higher education institutions (HEIs) can be withheld.
• The commission can also declare the HEI ineligible for consideration of any assistance under any general or special assistance programmes.
• The general public will be informed about the non-compliance and the institution will face backlash.
• In case of a college or institution, UGC will recommend the affiliating university to withdraw affiliation.
• In case of an institution deemed to be a university, the authorities will recommend the Central government for the withdrawal of the status.
• The UGC will recommend the respective state government to take appropriate action in case the university is established under a state act.
• The commission can also take other suitable action within its power as it may deem fit.