70% fees loss – Assam's colleges may suffer

The directorate of higher education has asked all provincialised (government aided) colleges of the state to deposit 70% of the total tuition fees collected from students, since 2007.

The instruction was conveyed to principals of all 189 provincialised colleges through a letter issued by the directorate. The state higher education department has also decided to allow these institutions to utilize the remaining 30% of the tuition fee for their development.

Though the directives issued by the directorate are set to enrich the state's exchequer, college authorities feel that if they were allowed control over the entire amount, college infrastructure would receive a boost.

Despite being asked to deposit the amount by 30th November, many college principals have been unable to meet the demands within the stipulated time, said a senior official of the Assam College Principal Council (ACPC).

"The letter was issues to the principals only in mid November and they were asked to deposit the sum within 15 days. Many principals could not accomplish the task. Hopefully, the directorate will extend its deadline," the official said.

Reacting to the directive issues to the colleges, ACPC president, Balendra Kumar Das explained that loosing out on a considerable fraction of the tuition fee will hit development plans of the provincialised colleges, which constitute a major portion of the colleges in the state.

"If the state government allows the college authorities to spend entire tuition fee for the development of their institutions, it will enable them to provide amenities for students. The number of students in the colleges is increasing and the authorities require more funds for construction and other related works," Das added.

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