Govt puts curbs on management quota fees for BTech

Hyderabad: Attempting to put an end to the exploitation by private unaided engineering colleges, which charge huge tuition fee for management quota seats, the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) has issued a set of guidelines that restrict colleges from collecting excess fee. Under the new guidelines, managements have also been asked to follow appropriate selection procedure to fill the B category seats, which includes the NRI quota as well.
Officials found that until last year, several private unaided colleges were violating government norms by asking for fees as high as Rs 3 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for BTech seats. However, this year, the government has prescribed a uniform fee structure for all the colleges.
"This year, even for management seats, colleges have to charge the same amount that is prescribed for the convenor quota. Parents can lodge official complaints against colleges charging excess fee and action will be initiated against them," said Rama Rao, consultant, Telangana Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee (AFRC).
As per the guidelines, managements are liable for action under the AP Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admissions and Prohibition of Capitation fee) Act, 1983, if found to be charging amounts other than the fee structure fixed by the government.
It is generally students who score low or fail to clear the Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test (Eamcet) who gain entry into top private colleges under the management quota, which comprises 30 per cent of the seats (15% management quota and 15% NRI quota). Anxious parents, who can afford the fee, prefer these seats for their wards. Until last year, managements took advantage of this situation and demanded huge donations to give admissions on the spot.
However, this year, the TSCHE has instructed colleges not to indulge in such activities. As per the new guidelines, colleges have to facilitate a web portal for filling up B category seats. They have to notify the details of courses offered with intake, schedule of admissions (date wise), registration fee for the application, minority or non-minority status etc. Admissions have to be given on merit basis under the management quota. Later, college managements have to upload the list of selected students on the portal and also forward the same for approval to the TSCHE.
As per the fresh guidelines, the TSCHE has the authority to reject the list if they find that the applications of candidates do not fulfil the required conditions.