BELGAUM: Several private colleges offering pre-university courses are allegedly exploiting students and their parents by illegally collecting money much in excess of the fees stipulated by the Department of Pre-University and Vocational Education.

The department has fixed Rs. 15 for an application form. But parents say that many colleges are collecting anywhere between Rs. 50 and Rs. 200. Though the Government has made no reference to the prospectus, the colleges are selling them along with admission forms at a cost fixed by them. Interestingly, the institutions are also issuing receipts for the amount.

Yet, the office of the Deputy Director of Public Administration and the Pre-University and Vocational Education Department are not acting on the issue, say aggrieved parents.

Surprisingly, many parents are not aware that the Government has formulated a fee structure for government and private (aided and unaided) institutions. "But even if we know, what can we do about it?" asks a parent. Apparently, no parent or student is ready to question the managements because of the apprehension that any such move might rile the managements and prevent them from offering a seat in their institution.

Excess amount

Along with collecting fees under various heads such as tuition fees, laboratory fees and PU Board Examination fee, some institutions are collecting excess amount under various heads. For instance, a college is said to be collecting a "platinum jubilee donation" of Rs.100 from each student.

That apart, Rs. 300 is being collected for "campus maintenance" and Rs. 300 for "compulsory CET coaching." There are institutions collecting money for "Development Fund" which is anywhere between Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 6,000. Another institution, which is collecting Rs. 6,000 as development fund, refuses to give receipt for the money, says a parent.

As managements continue to exploit the helplessness of parents and students, what people are worried about is the inaction of the authorities concerned.

When there are norms and definite fee structure, why are they allowing the managements to collect excess fees, asks a parent.

The Deputy Director of Public Instruction, Sripati Krishnaji Kadam, said neither he nor his staff member had visited any college in the city, though he admitted that his office has received complaints from a few parents.

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