CUTTACK: The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has come to the rescue of hapless students who have been duped to take admission into technical courses in certain unrecognised institutes.

In a significant ruling last month, the commission asked the Bhubaneswar-based Institute of Technology to refund the entire amount deposited by the students who are no more interested in continuing their studies in the institute.

Rejecting the appeal of the institute, commission president Justice R K Patra and member Subash Mahatab have asked the institute to refund Rs. 83, 600 to one Asit Ranjan Garnaik and Rs. 27, 975 to Snigdharani Mohapatra respectively along with interest at the rate of 6 per cent. The institute has also been asked to pay Rs. 5000 to each student towards compensation and cost of the case.

Ruling challenged

The institute has challenged the ruling of the Khurda district consumer forum before the State panel. But the State commission refused to admit the challenge and rejected the appeal of the institute on the ground that the appeal lacks merit. The district forum after taking up appeals in November 2006 asked the institute to refund the entire amount to both the students who have decided to quit the institute and study elsewhere.

Asit and Snigdharani had taken admission in the institute, but later when they learnt that the institute has not got any recognition from All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), they wanted to leave the institute and asked the authorities to refund the amount they had deposited at the time of their admission.

Hearing in High Court

Meanwhile, the issue of AICTE recognition came up for hearing in the Orissa High Court. The court gave liberty to the students to leave the unrecognised institute and join elsewhere. The High Court also directed the institute to refund the money deposited by the students.

Accordingly, in obedience to the High Court order, the state director of technical education and training also advised the institute to refund the admission fee of the students who desire to study elsewhere.

Accordingly Asit of Angul and Snigdharani of Rourkela approached the authorities and requested to refund their fees. However, when the authorities did not pay heed to the students' request, the aggrieved duo moved the district consumer forum.

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