The counsel appearing for Symbiosis college though denied the charges and claimed that if the students are taken for an educational tour to Supreme Court of India
The Bombay High Court has asked the state government to respond in two weeks time to a Public Interest Litigation, highlighting that colleges are illegally levying fees to students under different heads, which is not prescribed under the rules governing them.
Acting Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice G S Kulkarni, directed the government to clarify its stand while hearing a petition filed by Chatra Shikshak Kruti Sanstha. Advocate Rajesh Panchal argued before the court that he has found out that over 17 colleges, including Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, Pune, has been charging its students illegally and issuing challan stating the payments is made towards, 'society fees'.
The counsel appearing for Symbiosis college though denied the charges and claimed that if the students are taken for an educational tour to Supreme Court of India, then what is wrong if the college charges extra for their transportation and accommodation. Moreover, the allegation leveled is not that no receipt is given for the money taken.
Panchal said over time under Right to Information Act, he has found that many other colleges are charging fees illegally. Thus the scope of the PIL should be widened to included them. Accordingly the court granted him permission to amend his plea and add the erring colleges.
As per the plea, respondents are making business under the guise of spreading Education. The petitioner, having been so informed, addressed several complaints to the authorities. However, lethargic and apathetic approach on their part, towards curbing the loot of the students by the Educational Institutes, has constrained the petitioner to knock the doors of this court.
The PIL prays for directions to the authorities to take appropriate action against the colleges, for having illegally extracted excessive fees from its students studying in Junior as well as senior College of Arts and Commerce and the school respectively. Further, colleges which have overcharged be direct to refund/return the illegally extracted excessive fees either to its students, or to deposit with the public exchequer or any other "welfare fund" so as to be utilized for any public projects if whereabouts of concerned students are not known.
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