PG DENTAL SEATS

PG DENTAL SEATS

One college refunds, another replies to notice on excess fee

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SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

04.02.2022

Bengaluru: After the admission overseeing committee sent notices to three dental colleges for collecting excess fee from post-graduate candidates, one of them agreed to make a refund, while another responded saying what has been sought is only optional fees.

In January, the committee headed by justice B Manohar asked the colleges to refund additional fees or show cause as to why action shouldn’t be initiated against them for violating the consensual agreement.The colleges put on notice were Oxford Dental College, Bengaluru, Maratha Mandal Dental College, Belagavi and Rajarajeshwari Dental College, Bengaluru.

Of this, the Maratha Mandal has agreed to return the excess amount of Rs 75,000, said the committee. “The college said a one-time material fee of Rs 75,000 was collected, considering the pandemic situation to cover the cost of PPE and other protective items as well as dental kits to be supplied over the next three years. Students were informed about the same. But considering the notice issued by the committee, the college has informed students to come and collect the refund,” said justice Manohar.

Rajarajeshwari college, in its reply, said no student is compelled to pay for these materials if they don’t want to enrol for the additional courses. The college said it is conducting value-added courses in addition to the prescribed syl- labus. Students need to buy special instruments and materials if they want to pursue these courses. Only10 of the 28 students have paid these additional expenses, the college said. The committee said it is yet to decide on the next course of action with regard to this institution. The third college is yet to respond.

Meanwhile, the committee has sent notice to KVG Dental College, Sullia, for collecting Rs 75,000 as dental material fees and Rs 22,500 under other heads. The committee has received around 60 complaints on excess fee demand. “We have sent notices to around 15 colleges. We couldn’t send to all as some complaints had particulars missing. . . ,” justice Manohar added.

The government has put a cap on fees and additional amonts that each college can charge. If any college forces students to pay extra, students can approach the committee at KEA Building, 2nd floor, Sampige Road, 18th Cross, Malleshwaram.

MBA, MCA classes from Feb 14: VTU

Classes for MBA, MArch, MTech and MCA in colleges affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University will begin on February 14. VTU said while 80% of classes have to be conducted offline, the other 20% can be completed online. Attendance is a must for both.

Colleges will have to function for six days a week, with Saturday being a full working day. The university has permitted colleges to work on Sundays, if needed.

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