A sudden hike in medical course fee by private and deemed medical colleges across the state has left parents with no option, and now the big question confronting them is how to pay such a huge amount. Today a group of parents met Director of Medical Education and Research, but they only got verbal assurance.

The daughter of Mark Fernandis, a resident of Pune, wanted to pursue medical studies after her NEET exam and her family decided to send her to Chiplun's Walavalkar college which is far away from their home in Pune. But now Mark is worried about her next year of college, as they allege the college has hiked the fees by 85 per cent and now they will have to pay more than Rs 7 lakhs as compared to last year's fees of Rs 5 lakhs. To pay this increased fee, Mark and other parents have very little time on their hands.

"We were shocked when college asked us to pay new fee amount which is 86 per cent more than last year's fees. Our children are also tense as their exam is nearing. Last year, college had promised us that if there will be any hike in fee it will be upto 10 per cent, but this is almost 86 per cent hike they have done," Mark Fernandis said.

Along with Fernandis other parents also met Director of Medical Education and Research who gave them only verbal assurance to resolve this issue. The parents are worried that if they don't pay the fees college won't allow their ward to appear for exams.

"We have got verbal assurance from Director Medical Education And Research. We are hoping that they should do something against this fee hike," said Rashmi Khadilkar, one of the parents of a student of Walavalkar Medical college.

This year state government is filling up NRI and Institutional Quota along with government quota. But right to decide fees of institutional and NRI quota is with medical colleges. Government feels that due to this practice, 'under the table money' will be abolished and students won't have to pay much.

"There is no fee hike that has taken place as media reported. In actual, fees have been reduced. Earlier, institution used to ask more money as fees, but now as we will be filling up all the seats including NRI quota and Institutional Quota there will be fixed fees for it. Students don't have to fetch more from their pockets," said Pravin Shinghare, Director of Medical Education & Research.

From few days Pune based SK Navale Medical University has been making headlines for its high fee of Rs 97 lakhs per annum for PG Medical course, which it has explained as being subject wise.

The government will also take strict action against medical colleges that violate fees rules.

"If someone is demanding fees by violating rules we will take strict action against those colleges. Colleges have to take fees as per rules of Fee Regularly Authority (FRA)," said Girish Mahajan, Minister for Medical Education.

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