Colleges putting pressure for fee payment: Students

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 16

Students belonging to schedule castes (SC) studying in Khalsa College and Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) reached the office of Deputy Commissioner KS Sangha on Monday. They alleged that the institutes had been asking them to pay fee despite orders from the government not to charge admission fee.

Following delay in the release of funds under the post-matric scholarship, the state government has asked colleges and universities not to charge any fee from the students belonging to schedule castes till the funds are transferred into the accounts of the students by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

However, the institute can take an undertaking from the students that they will deposit the fee. MLA Amritsar (west) Raj Kumar Verka had announced the decision as he met the students suffering due to delay in disbursement of funds as the colleges refused to give them admission. The institutions had been asking them to pay fee. “Despite the state government’s order, our institute is forcing us to pay fee installments. We have reached here at the office of the DC to tell him about our grievances,” said a student of Khalsa College.

The students submitted a memorandum to ADC Subash Chander and apprised him of their issues.

ADC Subash Chander said, “The heads of these institutes were informed, including the two of them in question. They had been informed about the orders. However, we shall be looking into the matter.”

Jaspal Singh Sandhu, VC, GNDU, said, “We have received the orders. I have informed the staff and colleges concerned about the orders.” Dr Mehal Singh, Principal, Khalsa College, said, “Yes, I had a word with the ADC. We have received the orders, which will be followed.”