Fee Structure For Tamil Nadu Self-Financing Medical Colleges Be Fixed By Puducherry Fee Committee: Madras HC Issues Notice [Read Petition]

A Petition has been filed before the High Court of Madras, demanding a declaration that the fee structure for self-financing medical and dental colleges for Post Graduation courses shall be fixed by the Puducherry Fee Committee. The High Court has issued notice to parties.

The Petition, filed by Chennai based lawyer Mr. V.B.R. Menon, brings to the notice of the Court that there are 7 Medical colleges and a Dental college, under self-finance and Deemed University categories, in the Union Territory of Puducherry. Admissions to all these colleges are conducted by the “Centralized Admission Committee” (CENTAC).

Similarly, the fee to these colleges is supposed to be fixed by the Fee Committee. Mr. Menon, however, alleges that this committee has so far only fixed the fee for 3 such colleges. As a result of such lapse, the colleges are demanding huge amounts of money from the candidates.

“The Petitioner further states that as the Puducherry  Fee Committee has already  fixed the fee in its wisdom for the 3 self - finance Colleges, any dispute over   fixation of fees for the 4 Deemed University Colleges may not be allowed to stand in the way of student  admissions into those colleges out of State Quota which were allotted on the basis of  NEET merit  and in accordance with  the law/ rules prescribed by the Medical Council of India and the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The Deemed University managements are attempting to circumvent the settled law through devious claims and to sell the seats to less meritorious students through private auction,” the Petition contends.

Mr. Menon further demands that these colleges be directed to fix the fee in accordance with the directions laid down by the Supreme Court in the case of Islamic Academy of Education and Ors. v. State of Karnataka, (2003) 6 SCC 697, wherein, the Court had fixed the responsibilities of such State Committees, “so that professional institutions do not become auction houses for the purpose of selling seats.”

Mr. Menon thereafter highlights the urgency for hearing the Petition, as the classes for Post Graduate Medical Courses in Puducherry have already begun on 7 June. The petition, however, restricts its scope to admissions which are to be granted under the State quota.

Read the Petition here.