Hyderabad medical colleges demand illegal fees
HYDERABAD: Private medical colleges in the state are violating rules and collecting unauthorised fees, turning education into a business. Complaints earlier flagged excess fee collection for four-and-a-half-year courses and irregular stipend payments. Now, colleges have introduced new charges under library, special and miscellaneous heads.
Students admitted under the convener quota are reportedly asked to pay at least ₹1 lakh, while those under the management quota are charged over ₹2 lakh. Students and parents said colleges threaten to deny classes and withhold identity cards if payments are not made.
Extra charges violate government orders
As per Government Orders 107 and 108, additional fee collection for postgraduate and super-speciality courses in private medical colleges is banned. Any collection beyond the prescribed tuition fee including library, special or donation charges is considered illegal capitation fee. The government has warned of action against violations.
The orders also mandate that the fee fixed at admission should remain unchanged until course completion. Colleges must also pay stipends on par with government institutions. However, private managements continue to disregard these rules and collect large sums from students.
Committee yet to submit report
Health minister Damodar Rajanarasimha had earlier expressed concern over additional fee collection from convener quota students. He directed officials to form a committee to study the issue and submit a report. Months after the directive, no report has been submitted.
Students allege lack of monitoring by medical education and university authorities. They said inspections focus on infrastructure but ignore fee receipts. “Officials turn a blind eye, allowing private managements to continue unchecked,” a student said.
Cash-only collections raise concerns
Reports indicate that colleges collect between ₹1 lakh and over ₹2 lakh depending on their standing. Many insist on cash payments to avoid records, raising concerns over unaccounted transactions worth crores.
Even merit students under the convener quota are forced to take loans to pay these charges. Students have urged the government to conduct an immediate inquiry and cancel recognition of colleges involved in illegal collections.
