Madras HC issue notice to TN govt. on fee collection from graduates from economically and socially weaker sections

Updated on: Thursday, September 06, 2012

A PIL has been filed in Madras High Court, seeking a directive to Tamil Nadu government to direct colleges not to insist on payment of fees by first generation graduate students from economically and socially weaker sections, pending payment under a government scheme.

When the petition came up for hearing, a division bench, comprising Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice T S Sivagnanam ordered issue of notices to the Chief Secretary, Higher Education Secretary and principals of certain colleges across the state, returnable in two weeks.

Petitioner D Sherin Asha, President of Velicham, an NGO, referred to an Apr 16 2010 Government Order aimed at producing at least a graduate in a family from a presumably depressed class and said respondent institutions have refused admission of eligible candidates without payment of the entire fees.

"However, the respondents have permitted admission in a stringent condition that the students so admitted shall pay the entire fee structure within a period of three weeks from the date of admission," she said.

While educational institutions insist on obtaining loans from banks, students can apply for loans only on producing bonafide certificates from their educational institutions, which again would give it to them only on payment of fees, she
contended.

The petitioner also sought an interim order directing respondent colleges to permit admission of first generation students without insisting on payment of educational and other fees either at the time of admission or thereafter.

Madras HC issue notice to TN govt. on fee collection from graduates from economically and socially weaker sections

More Education news