Students to drag college to consumer court

College charged Rs 4.25 lakh fee, while varsity collected Rs 36,500

The management of Garden City College, who had admitted students saying they offer a regular course, had allegedly issued certificates from the Pondicherry University’s Distant Education Department.

The Pondicherry University, which is aware of the alleged fraud by the institution, has already served a notice to the college and sought a reply by September 10.

The problem began in October 2008, when Garden City College started enrolling students for a regular MBA course. The course fee was fixed at Rs 4.25 lakh and students were told that they would be given an additional course on Executive in Master Business Studies (EMBS) at no cost.

But students soon realised there was some foul play when they were asked to appear for the first semester examination in December 2008, merely one and half months after they were enrolled for the course.

Further, students were not given the marks card for the first semester examination. When one of the students demanded for it, he was given an MBA first semester certificate by the Pondicherry University’s Distant Education Department. The news spread like wild fire among the students pursuing the course and they sought a clarification from the college management. However, the management continued to maintain that they would get a regular certificate eventually from the university.

When the students tried to dig out more, they learnt that the Pondicherry University was offering the same course at Rs 36,500.

The students yet again questioned the college management about this and were told that the extra fee was for the Executive in Master Business Studies course, which was initially offered to them at no cost.

The students then complained to the Pondicherry University Vice Chancellor, J K Tarin and other officials, following which a notice was served to the college management.

The Registrar of the University, K Loganathan, told Deccan Herald that the University was aware of the wrong-doings of the Garden City Group of Institutions and has served a notice on them.

The management has  been directed to reply by September 10. If the reply is not satisfactory, the college would  be de-recognised for the course, he added. Meanwhile, students are now planning to approach the consumer court.

A student, who wished to remain anonymous, said a group of students tried to negotiate with the management but the college stuck to its stand and maintained its claims.