MUMBAI: The state government will implement the Maharashtra Unaided Private Professional Education Institutions (Regulation of Admission Fees) Act, 2015, from the coming academic year. The Act, which will give the state power to regulate college fees and restrict private institutions from conducting common entrance test (CET), will be applicable to all degree, technical, medical and agriculture colleges and varsities.The draft had been pending for nearly nine years as most ministers in the earlier government were on the boards of medical and engineering institutions, sources said. “The state has passed an ordinance. A panel will be set up under a retired high court judge, with a chartered accountant and a former vice-chancellor, among others, on it,” higher and technical education minister Vinod Tawde said.(ICWA) and a team from the finance sector. The team of experts will study the financial status of colleges and finalize their fee structures which cannot be changed for four years,” higher and technical education minister Vinod Tawde said.However, there will be no control over fees under the 15% management quota and the new Act will not be applicable to deemed universities and institutions like IIT. Under the Act, the committee can lodge a complaint against an institution that provides false information and the directors of such institutions may face jail terms of up to two years.With the government paying the fees of students admitted under reservations in medical and management colleges, the state is expected to save up to Rs 300 crore once the fee regulation Act is implemented, Tawde said.Meanwhile, there will be another committee that will control admissions to colleges. “CET will only be conducted by the committee. No private player will be allowed to conduct separate CETs for admission. Colleges are bound to admit students on the basis of the government CET,” the minister said.Experts have welcomed the Act, but seem to be wary about its implementation. “It is one of the best Acts in terms of fee regulation. The effort must be appreciated. The fact that CETs cannot be taken by individual colleges will be a huge relief for students. There is also a provision for punishment if institutes flout norms, which is very good. But the state must ensure there is a machinery for effective implementation of the Act,” Jayant Jain, president, Forum for Fairness in Education, said.A member of the Shikshan Shulka committee , which currently regulates fees, said the new ordinance will give the committees some powers. “Colleges justify extra fees that they charge for library and computer classes. In the end, students have to pay the money. We have been extremely vigilant, but we must be given more teeth,” the member said.