Issue circular to colleges not to collect exorbitant fee: Directorate to Anna varsity

Chennai: After protests by various engineering college students in the state, the Directorate of Technical Education has asked Anna University to issue a circular to all private engineering colleges to stop collection of exorbitant fee.

Directorate officials said if a complaint is received against any college regarding lack of facilities, collection of exorbitant fee or fine, a committee will be formed to inspect the college.

“In the name of disciplining students, exorbitant fines should not be slapped on them. Colleges should discipline students by other ways like teaching them values and imparting value-based education,” they said. In the last few weeks, many students complained to the directorate regarding excess fine amounts being collected in private colleges. Students alleged that some colleges were collecting up to Rs 25,000 as attendance fine and hall tickets were not given if the sum was not paid.

After intervention of the directorate, some students were able to get their hall tickets. When enquired, officials said, “Students mainly complained about dress code and fine for late coming.” The officials said there were very few complaints on capitation fee collection. “Whenever we receive a complaint, we forward it to Anna University and university authorities raid the colleges concerned. However, no action could be taken against any college due to lack of evidence.”

More than one lakh seats are remaining vacant in engineering colleges in the last two years. “But no college has come forward to close down the institution or shift it to arts and science stream. Few colleges wanted to trim their intake size,” they added.