Issue of exorbitant MBBS fee discussed in parliament

New Delhi: The fee structure of the private unaided medical colleges is decided by the Committee set up by the respective State Governments under the Chairmanship of a retired High Court Judge, the MoS Health Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar has clarified before the Parliament when the issue of exorbitant fee for MBBS and PG courses came up for discussion.

"In the case of Government medical colleges, the respective State Governments are responsible for fixation of fee and in the case of private unaided medical colleges, the fee structure is decided by the Committee set up by the respective State Governments under the Chairmanship of a retired High Court Judge in pursuance of the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India," stated the Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

"As and when complaints regarding overcharging of fees are received against medical colleges, such complaints are referred to the concerned State Government for appropriate action," she has further added.

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Minister Pawar replied to a series of questions related to the exorbitant fee charged by private medical universities for MBBS and PG courses. The questions also included whether the parents of the students have complained against the matter and if there is any mechanism available for taking strict action against the private medical institutes for levying inappropriate fees.

After informing the house regarding the Supreme Court directions regarding the fixing of fees for private medical institutes, Minister Pawar also mentioned, "The National Medical Commission (NMC) has been constituted with effect from 25th September 2020 under the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, Section 10(1)(i) of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 empowers the NMC to frame guidelines for determination of fees and all other charges in respect of 50% of seats in private medical institutions and deemed to be universities."