The Admission Overseeing Committee (AOC) has directed two medical colleges in Bengaluru to refund the excess fees they had collected, along with 6% interest. The committee also stated that the if they fail to do so, the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) should make necessary recommendations to the Medical Council of India for withdrawal of recognition and affiliation.
The institutes — Rajarajeswari Medical College & Hospital and East Point College of Medical Sciences & Research Centre — had allegedly collected excess money from students under various sub-heads, including fees for use of swimming pool, air-conditioning, gym and smart classes.
The students, who had complained to the committee, are currently in the second year. “While the students paid excess fees when they were in the first year without questioning the management, they have now realised that it is illegal and have complained to us,” said B. Manohar, chairman of the AOC. Last week, the committee wrote to the government recommending initiating action against these colleges.
While Rajarajeswari Medical College & Hospital allegedly asked government quota students to pay an additional fee of ₹48,800 while students in the institutional quota were asked to pay ₹1.48 lakh. Students of East Point College of Medical Sciences & Research Centre were allegedly made to pay ₹80,900 if they were chosen under the government quota and ₹91,800 under the institutional quota.
Despite conducting several hearings, the colleges did not relent, said sources in the committee.
“Students and parents are eagerly waiting for the colleges to waive off the excess fees, but the management is not entertaining their concerns,” a source said.
Rajarajeswari Medical College & Hospital authorities said that the matter is sub-judice and that students had already approached a court as well.
A representative of East Point College of Medical Sciences & Research Centre said that they would soon comply with the order of the committee.
