The Hindu : SVU, college lock horns over fee issue

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 06, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

SVU, college lock horns over fee issue

By Our Special Correspondent

TIRUPATI Dec. 5. Does the university college enjoy full freedom to utilise the `special fees' or should it be transferred to the university concerned? This is the latest controversy on which SV University on one side and the SVU's Collge of Arts and Sciences on the other have locked horns. At the time of admission the University College collects from students a tuition fee and a `special fee'. While the former is transferred to the university account, the latter (special fee), as per a convention being followed since its inception in mid-fifties, is being retained by the college with its principal enjoying the freedom to utilise the funds for augmentation of facilities.

But what touched off a row between the university and the university college is a reported move by the former to claim the special fees to a tune of about Rs. 1 crore remaining unspent in the Principal's Account for the last several decades. What is apparently making the university contemplate the move is funds crunch for its increasing maintenance charges. The University's Executive Council, its supreme policy making body, discussed the issue threadbare at one of its meetings and issued a directive to the college principal to transfer the accumulated special fee en bloc to the University account. But the college arguing that it was not under obligation to transfer the funds over which the principal alone had the powers was said to have ignored the EC's diktat. It has even adopted a resolution to this effect.

The college is said to be guided by the GO 593 Education (C) Dept. of 31.3.1972 which had reportedly prohibited diversion of special fees to any other account not connected with college development. To reinforce its argument, it is also citing an instance where the LF audit had not only taken a serious note of a diversion of the special fees to the university by the college authorities to a tune of Rs.14 lakhs in 1998-99 but also asked the university to refund the amount to the college with an interest of about Rs.1.8 lakhs.

Apparently peeved over the attitude of the college, the EC comprising among others three top bureaucrats -- Secretary, Finance, Secretary, Education, and Director of Higher Education -- as ex-officio members was said to have had heated discussions on the issue during its last meeting held about 10 days ago. In view of the mounting pressure and as a via-media solution to the controversy, the college principal offered to deposit the Rs. 1 crore in a joint bank account to be opened and operated by himself and the university Registrar on the condition that it be spent only for college development. The College Council with the principal presiding which took a decision to this effect also resolved that Rs.20 lakhs of the amount must be set apart to be spent exclusively by the principal to meet urgent needs of the college.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Naidu for end to 'inspector raj'

Three farmers end lives

TTD's `mega plan' runs into trouble

Extend liberal linkage to SHGs, banks told

Security tightened at Tirumala

Four naxals surrender

SVU, college lock horns over fee issue

Paritala evasive on TD membership impasse

FCI to procure one lakh tonnes of rice from millers

Officials asked to inform ryots about water supply

Two special trains to clear winter rush