Kerala government, opposition face-off over fee issue continues

As the Kerala government remains firm against revision of fees in the self-financing medical education sector, the Congress-led opposition has set off on a war path with its three legislators starting an indefinite fast on Wednesday.

Proceedings of the state assembly have been affected since the beginning of this session on Monday, with the opposition stridently alleging collusion between the government and private colleges over the fee structure for professional courses.

In the past two days, things have turned from bad to worse, as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Left Front government made it clear that the fee structure would not change.

On Wednesday, the day's sitting ended soon after the Question Hour, as Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala announced that three legislators were starting an indefinite fast and would call it off only after the opposition demands were met.

Congress legislators Shafi Parambil and Hybi Eden, and lone Kerala Congress (Jacob) legislator Anup Jacob began a fast in the foyer of the house. Two Indian Union Muslim League legislators K.M. Shaji and M. Shamsuddin also extended their support.

Later, speaking to the media, Vijayan described the Congress-led protests against the fee structure as "strange", since "students and parents have no problems at all" over the government decision to hike fees and do away with the old system of 'payment seats'.

"If by their own (Congress) admission, 350 medical seats, which in the past were given out as 'payment seats' by the self-financing medical colleges, with Rs 1 crore donation for each seat, it should have been the colleges protesting the new fee structure," the Chief Minister pointed out.

"But, what we see is that the Congress party is upset (at the fee hike and scrapping of the 'payment seats'), and now all realise that they stand for the private managements and not for students," Vijayan claimed.

He reiterated his stand that the new fee structure would not be revised since "it has been accepted by the students".

Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that during the UDF's five-year tenure 2011-16, the fees in the sector went up by a mere Rs 47,000, while the Vijayan government has increased it by Rs 65,000 in one go.

"In every category of seats (merit, management and NRI quota), this time the Vijayan government allowed it to be raised ranging from Rs 65,000 to Rs 2.50 lakh. Is this not a windfall for these private managements? That's why they are all happy and have no problem," Chandy argued.

Vijayan assured the house that the appellate authority (James Committee) would scrutinise nearly 1,300 complaints regarding admission to these private medical colleges, and strict action would be taken against those indulging in wrongdoings.

"The government is always open to talks with the opposition and it's they who have to decide if there should be talks," added Vijayan.

With daggers drawn over the issue, the assembly is expected to witness more disruptions in the days ahead.

--IANS

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