Adhere to ad-hoc PG medical fees fixed by FRA- Prakash Institute of Medical Sciences ordered

Maharashtra- Prakash Institute of Medical Sciences, Sangli, has been asked to follow the ad-hoc fees fixed by the state fee regulatory authority (FRA) for MD/MS courses offered by the college from this year. This has been asked by the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) of the State Fee Regulatory Authority (FRA).

This year, the ad-hoc fee for PG medical courses was fixed at Rs 10.5 lakh by the FRA, however, the college has mentioned Rs 16 lakh as the annual fee on its official website. In this regard, many students have complained to GRC that the institute is charging excessive fees. On this, the GRC stated that “the ad-hoc fee will be binding on the college unless explicitly modified by the FRA”.

As per the TOI media news report, GRC has sought clarification from the college on the students' complaints. Where, the college management cited section 14 (2) of the Maharashtra Unaided Private Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admissions and Fees) Act, 2015, which grants them the liberty to collect interim fees when the final fees are not decided. The management's representative further mentioned that other colleges, too, are charging higher fees than the ad-hoc fees approved by the FRA and that ‘running a medical college is financially challenging'.

The GRC, however, concluded that section 14 (2) of the act cannot be interpreted to override the ad-hoc fees fixed by the FRA. The provision allows for interim fee collection but does not permit arbitrary charges. The FRA's ad-hoc fees are also fixed to ensure transparency and fairness.

Meanwhile, FRA member Dharmendra Mishra said “Institutions cannot bypass this, and the authority can penalise institutes if they are found to have flouted the norms”, adding that the fee can be revised only if the FRA finds merit in the proposal.

Additionally, while appreciating the immediate action taken by the GRC, in favour of students, the Parent representative Ruiee Kapoor said “This will control all private colleges from increasing their fees exorbitantly”.