The State government and the managements of engineering colleges are trying to find an amicable solution to the contentious issue of fees, which has delayed the commencement of Eamcet engineering counselling. The government has stepped up efforts to convince around 550 colleges to accept a moderate fee hike — to Rs 35,000 from the existing Rs 31,000. The colleges want to charge Rs 50,200 per annum.
Raids and inspections to verify the infrastructure and faculty in the colleges to fix the fee structure accordingly has caused the managements of the 550 colleges to soften their stand and many sent feelers to the government on Thursday, suggesting there are willing to compromise. To give them time to arr-ive at a consensus, the state has postponed the scheduled cabinet sub-committee meeting on Thursday at the Secretariat.
If the fee of Rs 35,000 is agreed to by the colleges, the government will reimburse the fees of all Backward Classes and Economically Backward Classes students. There had been an uproar when the government had announced that it would only reimburse these students to the tune of Rs 31,000 (the old fee), and they would have to pay for any hike above that. At the same time, the government is also trying to convince another 133 colleges to agree to a moderate fee hike. These colleges had submitted their financial statements to the Supreme Court and are thus eligible to claim an increase in fees of between 40 and 150 per cent.
The state government wants to convince these colleges to admit students “conditionally” at a fee of Rs 35,000 so that the counselling can take place. After inspections are conducted to verify if their financial statements are correct, the fees can be increased.