The state's private unaided institutes will
henceforth have to adhere to norms on regulation of admission and fees, as per
an ordinance passed by Governor Ch Vidya sagar Rao on May 21. Subsequently, a
circular was also issued by SK Mahajan, director of the Higher and Technical
Education Department on June 5, directing minority institutions to adhere to
the norms.
Institutes
that don't follow admissions norms for three years in a row will face stern
action. While the amount of fine for charging excess fees is not specified, the
ordinance states that the first offence will draw a fine of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5
lakh or twice the amount taken in excess. The next offence will invite a fine
of between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 10 lakh or twice the amount taken in excess. The
ordinance also mentions imprisonment upto six months for acts of fraud.
The
ordinance explains eligibility conditions for admission in an unaided minority
educational institution, which mandates 51% of seats for students from within
the state from the minority community the institute represents. Seats must be
allocated based on merit and CET results, and those left vacant will have to be
surrendered to the authority, who will then try to fill them with other
students from the minority community. If seats still remain vacant, they will
be offered to the general category.
Unlike the
current regulatory body, Shikshan Shulka Samiti (SSS), which does not have any
judiciary members, the Fee Regulating Authority will be headed by a retired
High Court judge. Other members will include a chartered accountant, a cost
accountant, a former vice chancellor, registrar of Maharashtra University of
health sciences, director of technical education and director of higher
education among others.
The
ordinance says the Admission Regulating Authority will be chaired by a retired
judge, and mentions several criteria for members to ensure optimum
transparency. The authority will conduct and monitor the CET, scrutinise
admission proposals, cancel admissions when required, and address grievances.
While unaided
private institutes were unwilling to comment, a principal on condition of
anonymity said, “Unlike SSS which is not very strict about norms, the ordinance
lays down stricter norms and penalties which will ensure more transparency.“
Higher and
Technical Education Minister Vinod Tawde had earlier said once passed the
ordinance would help decide an appropriate fee structure for professional
courses, thereby curbing and preventing profiteering by colleges.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ORDINANCE
Fee and
admission regulatory panels to get former High Court judge as chairperson
Stricter norms in ordinance to curb `profiteering' by private institutes
Unaided minority institutes to have 51% of seats for students from minority
they represent Fee Regulatory Authority to have flying squads for surprise
visits to unaided private institutes to verify infrastructure facilities.
Circular Link | http://www.dtemaharashtra.gov.in/approvedinstitues/Notifications/Notification_6_6_2015_1330202447.pdf
Source | Mumbai Mirror | 11 June 2015
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