Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government has asked private medical colleges to work out an agreeable formula on the medical fee hike issue.
It seems unlikely that the recommendations of the Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee will be implemented this year with a separate private entrance exam already ruled out.
But the Andhra Pradesh government has not yet taken a final decision, and private medical colleges have been told to come back with a formula before the announcement of Eamcet counselling dates.
This could, however, create another controversy with the Telangana government already ruling out any medical fee hike since a differential fee structure in the two states would be disastrous.
Private medical colleges have been asking the two governments to follow Supreme Court directions regarding a separate entrance exam to fill management quota seats.
A host of other decisions are also yet to be taken.
The AFRC had also recommended a sharp hike in the private medical college fee structure.
The two governments have, however, been reluctant to raise fees citing the sharp difference it would create between fees in private and government medical colleges.
Sources informed that AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has asked private medical colleges to work out a compromise formula and come back.
Andhra Pradesh health minister Kamineni Srinivas said the government will take a decision in the next two days.
However, sources said that a final decision on fee hike is expected to take more time.
Dr G. Bhaskar Rao, president, All India Private Medical Colleges Association, said, “It will take four to five days. The principal secretaries will also have to discuss the issue.”
Telangana Deputy CM Dr T. Rajaiah has already ruled out a medical fee hike this year.
But, a differential fee structure in colleges in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will trigger controversy.
Colleges said discussions were going on. “The issue concerns both the states, and there are some other aspects as well,” MLC and KIMS MD K. Ravikiraan Kalidindi said.
