Medical colleges collecting up to Rs 2 lakh in 'extra fees'

With parents too afraid to complain, private medical colleges are charging way more than the prescribed fees.

When admissions began this season, they were in for a shock, with colleges demanding additional amounts ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 2 lakh.

“College representatives were around at the Karnataka Examinations Authority during counselling, but did not mention any extra fee,” a parent said.

In the case of her son, the college demanded Rs 2 lakh towards ‘college fee’, saying the Rs 6.32 lakh she had paid earlier was just the tuition fee.

“I was shocked and had to scramble to arrange for the amount,” she said.

The government has fixed a tuition fee of Rs 77,000 for government-quota seats and Rs 6.32 lakh for institution seats in private colleges.

“Whatever tuition fee is notified by the government on the KEA website is the official fee. Apart from this, colleges are permitted to collect only hostel, mess and university fees,” said Dr S Sachidananda, director of medical education.

Library, sports and other fees have been factored into the tuition fee, he explained.

Colleges under watch

The Admission Overseeing Committee has written to the colleges, seeking detailed fee structures. JJM Medical College, Davangere, has replied it collects an additional Rs 1.54 lakh in the first year and Rs 1.31 lakh each in the second, third and fourth years.

This is broken up into library, development, sports, miscellaneous and other fees. Institution seat candidates pay an additional Rs 1.13 lakh as clinical fee.

Similarly, Shridevi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital, Tumakuru, says it collects Rs 68,650 extra as admission, library and practical records fees.

Retired judge Justice Anand Byrareddy, who heads the Admissions Overseeing Committee, said, “We were told by the government that colleges could collect only hostel, mess and university fees in addition to the tuition fee. But they have not specified what tuition fee includes, so there is still no clarity.”