The issue of collecting crores of rupees from students by the universities of the state in the name of ‘Consultation Fee’ was echoed in the Rajasthan Assembly. Congress MLA from Shahpura Manish Yadav put the government in the dock regarding this issue. It is alleged that the universities collected about Rs 223 crore from 22.50 lakh students without any consultation or counseling centre. The opposition created a ruckus in the House when the minister could not give a satisfactory answer.
What is the whole matter?
MLA Manish Yadav raised the question that in Matsya University, Mohanlal Sukhadia University and Rajasthan University, Rs 1000 each are being charged from non-collegiate students in the name of ‘discussion fee’ since 2016-17.
- Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, on behalf of the government, revealed the figures in reply:
- Rajrishi Bhartrihari Matsya University: Rs 22.16 crore (2018-19 to 24-25)
- Mohanlal Sukhadia University: Rs 43.16 crore (2020-21 to 24-25)
- Rajasthan University: Rs 156.18 crore (2017-18 to 24-25)
- Total recovery: Around ₹223 crore from around 22.50 lakh students.
Opposition enraged at minister’s argument
The minister told the House that this amount has been used for ‘examination related works’. MLA Manish Yadav expressed strong opposition to this. He argued that when ‘examination fee’ is taken separately from the students, then how was the money of ‘examination fee’ spent on the examination? Yadav asked, “How many counseling centers were opened? How many students were counselled? If not, then it is a direct robbery on the pockets of the students.”
‘Minister, show the order, not the act’
The situation in the House became more heated when the Minister started reading out the departmental orders instead of citing the University Act. On this, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Julie cornered the government and said, “Minister, you are misleading the House. Don’t read the order, tell me the Act under which there is a provision to collect this fee from self-study students.”
Opposition demands: return the money
The opposition alleged that the government could not provide proof that even one rupee out of Rs 223 crore was spent on the actual discussion of the students. MLA Manish Yadav and Leader of Opposition have demanded that this illegal recovery should be stopped immediately. Crores of rupees collected so far from students should be returned to them. His Excellency the Governor should intervene in this matter and get a high level investigation done.