The decision to fix Rs 35,000 per annum as the common fee for engineering course was taken by the Cabinet sub-committee on Sunday after consulting with the representatives of various engineering associations. Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha, ministers Botsa Satyanarayana, B. Saraiah, Pitani Satyanarayana, APSCHE chairman Prof. Jayaprakash Rao and principal secretary of social welfare Raymond Peter met representatives of nearly 100 colleges.
Later, Mr Botsa Satyanarayana said, “Majority of the colleges have agreed to a common fee of Rs 35,000. The colleges were asked to submit an undertaking to the government expressing their approval. APSCHE will announce the counselling schedule on Monday.” The managements had a different version. General secretary of Consortium of Engineering Colleges K.V.K. Rao said, “The government is yet to give clarity on several issues. I don’t think that majority of the colleges will give the undertaking unless the government clarifies on withdrawal of the ordinances and raids by task forces”
“The government has proposed to hike the fees to Rs 35,000. Majority of the colleges have agreed to this though a few colleges are asking for Rs 40,000 and more. We expect all the colleges to agree to Rs 35,000 within two days,” said Dr P. Rajeshwar Reddy, general secretary, CECMA.
Mr Ramesh Nimmatoori, convener, CEPMA, said, “It’s not fair to force all colleges to accept a common fee. without taking into consideration their quality. We will approach the AP High Court against this." Though the government claimed that it would announce counselling schedule on Monday, the chances seemed remote. Officials expect the notification to be issued only after two to three days.