Colleges Demand Extra Fee From Pharma Students

An Indian Express report from Bangalore reveals the rampant practice of excess fees by colleges in the pharmacy field. 

Please see: http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Colleges-Demand-Extra-Fee-From-Pharma-Students/2015/08/01/article2951348.ece

Students who joined B Pharm and D Pharm courses through Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) under the Common Entrance Test (CET) 2015 had to pay fees in excess of the sum prescribed by the government. An admission overseeing committee, constituted by the state government to monitor violations, however, says it is helpless as these courses do not fall under the professional category.

According to complaints received at examination authority, the colleges are asking Rs 10,000 to Rs 60,000 over and above the fee. The fee fixed for BPharm and DPharm courses is Rs 14,030 at government colleges and Rs 21,430 at private colleges. But the colleges are demanding more in the name of additional facilities.

Speaking to Express, a student who submitted a written complaint to KEA said, “I got a seat at one of the prime colleges in Bengaluru, and when I went for admission, I was shocked as the authorities asked me to pay Rs 35,000 additional fee along with the fee prescribed. Following this I have written a complaint to Karnataka Examinations Authority.”

Meanwhile, two students who had filed complaints have withdrawn them after they were allegedly pressurized by the colleges involved.