Fee fixation: Govt holds meeting with stakeholders

The issue of restructuring fees for professional courses in the State has resurfaced yet again with the State government conducting a stakeholders' meet on Wednesday. 

The meeting was held to discuss the implementation of Karnataka Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Determination of Fee) Act, 2006. Last year, after protests from different quarters, the government had rolled back its decision to enforce the Act.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Minister for Higher Education and Tourism R V Deshpande said, “We tried to implement the Act last year but had to drop the plan owing to protests. At today's meeting, we discussed the issue with students, parents and academicians.

We have to examine the implementation legally in view of the Supreme Court judgment. We will, however, make sure that education is affordable.” He added that no decision was taken in the meeting.

The State government is likely to discuss the matter in the Cabinet and table it in the winter session. Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) Vice-Chancellor H Maheshappa said that implementation of the Act would not be an issue. “We have around one lakh engineering seats with nearly 50 per cent remaining vacant every year. Almost all students will get seats under CET.”

However, All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) representative Rajashekhar, who also attend the meeting said, “In the meeting, we also raised the issue of introducing only one entrance test or one CET in the State. Before 2002, there was only one CET and no COMEDK.

All seats should be filled only through CET and not COMEDK. So far as the fee structure is concerned, poor and meriterous students will be penalised with the implementation of the 2006 Act,” he said.