The University of Mumbai has differed complying with the demand of colleges to allow them to increase fees. The committee constituted by the University to decide on the issue of fee increase, in its meeting on Thursday at Dr Ambedkar Bhavan at Kalina campus, decided to frame guidelines that colleges had to adhere to if they wanted to hike their fees. The decision of the committee to frame guidelines was also influenced by a large protest organised by Yuva Sena at the venue. According to Dilip Karande, a member of the committee, the issue of fee increase affected the students directly and hence the committee was in no hurry to take a decision on the same. “Colleges charge exorbitant fees from students, but fail to abide by the norms set by the University. In such a scenario, the students cannot be burdened with a hike, hence the committee decided to frame guidelines that colleges had to abide by if they wanted to be eligible for increasing their fees,” said Mr Karande. The norms being flouted by most colleges include non-appointment of qualified principals and teachers, absence of both administrative and academic amenities for students and staff among others. Confirming the proceedings of the meeting, Dr Naresh Chandra, pro-vice-chancellor of MU said, “The committee has been asked to frame guidelines which is expected to be ready in the next 8-10 days. The guidelines will be based on the norms that colleges have to follow to be eligible for increasing their fees. The guidelines will be sent to the colleges and if the colleges are fulfilling the norms then the committee will consider their application and permit them an increase based on their requirements.” He added that the fee increase will have to be justified and no college would be able to hike the fees on a whim.
