The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : No hike in fee for engineering courses

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 16, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

No hike in fee for engineering courses

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JUNE 15. There will be no change in the existing fee structure for engineering courses for next three years, including the upcoming academic year, a high-level committee headed by retired High Court judge, Justice Bayyapu Reddy, said today.

The committee had received proposals from the private managements of various engineering college for a steep hike in the fee structure, but, having found no strength in their argument, it categorically ruled out the hike. "The next review will be only after three years," it said.

However, there is a provision for the colleges to appeal, provided they have enough evidence suggesting the necessity of the hike.

"The committee has pegged the fee at Rs. 22,000 for 85 per cent of regular seats in the EAMCET Convener category and up to Rs. 75,000 for the remaining seats under the management quota in non-minority engineering colleges," the Commissioner of Technical Education, A. R. Sukumara, told The Hindu here on Tuesday. "The managements cannot exceed the prescribed fee," he said, "but they can reduce it if they wish."

In the case of Government engineering colleges, last year's fee of Rs. 8,000 had been retained, he said.

In minority engineering colleges, the fee would be Rs. 22,000 for the 15 per cent seats in the EAMCET Convener category. The managements have been asked to ensure that only minorities are given 55 per cent of the seats. For the remaining 15 per cent, which is under the management quota, up to Rs. 75,000 can be charged.

Even as the decision is being communicated to all 225 engineering colleges in the State, students and parents are anticipating a reduction in medical college fee. The Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy's recent statements that the fee would be reduced has raised their hopes.

"A final view cannot be taken as consultations are still on. The ratio of distribution is still to be arrived at and the Health Department has to issue a GO on the matter. Nothing concrete has emerged as of now, though a reduction in the fee of medical colleges has been hinted at in the Legislative Assembly," the Chairman of Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education, C. Subba Rao, said.

The committee is also expected to come out with the fee structure for MBA, MCA and law colleges.

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