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LDF government allows hike in MBBS, dental fee

Most management associations had pressed for an annual fee of Rs 4.40 lakh for 30 per cent seats.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan taking the initiative to resolve the issue of fee structure in self financing private medical college sector, the representatives of Private Medical College Management Association agreed to fix a fee of Rs 2.5 lakh annually for 30 per cent of government seats in their medical institutions. As per the agreement reached between the two sides here the other day, it was decided to keep the fee for 20 per cent of the 50 per cent merit seats that are reserved for students from financially backward sections, at Rs 25,000.

As far as the 35 per cent of the management quota seats was concerned, the fee would be Rs 11 lakh while the fee for the Non Resident Indian (NRI) quota seats would be pegged at Rs 15 lakh. With the government and management association now reaching the agreement, the Fee Regulatory Committee's approval is just a formality. Though the government claimed success, the management association representatives seemed a bit disappointed over the agreed fee structure.

Most management associations had pressed for an annual fee of Rs 4.40 lakh for 30 per cent seats. On the management quota seats they wanted the government to agree to Rs 12.40 lakh. However, the chief minister succeeded in arriving at a consensus with the management representatives. With the revised fee structure coming into being, the medical institutions expect more students to apply under the new fee structure. Keeping in view that possibility the management associations are planning to extend the date for submitting applications.

The government had earlier reached an agreement in dental seats with the dental college management association. Two types of fee had been agreed upon for 20 per cent of seats set aside for financially poor students. The first six per cent of students will have to pay Rs 23,000 and the 14 per cent seats fee will be Rs 44,000. In the remaining 30 per cent seats, a fee of Rs 2.10 lakh had been fixed. As far as the 35 per cent management seas are concerned, the fee would be Rs 5 lakh annually and Rs 6 lakh in the remaining 15 per cent seats.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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