KU syndicate to probe capitation fee allegations

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala University syndicate meeting here on Saturday set up a sub-committee to probe into the allegations that majority of the self-financing arts and science collages affiliated to the university were demanding huge sums of money from students for providing them admission to management quota seats.
The syndicate decision was taken after syndicate member S Krishnakumar brought the issue to the attention of the syndicate.Though the practice of collecting capitation fee was there in the past too, huge sums were demanded by managements this time, leading to widespread complaints from applicants.
The committee members are Jyothikumar Chamakkala, P Rajesh Kumar, S Krishnakumar, K Shaji, John Thomas, Varghese Perayil, Johnson Abraham, R Mohanakrishnan, K S Gopakumar and Abdul Rahim
The syndicate has also decided to demand RUSA state project directorate to vacate its office functioning at the university stadium. The office premises should be vacated before September 30, 2016, decided the syndicate which met here on Saturday.
In view of the increasing expenditure and diminishing revenue of the university, the syndicate has decided to increase the fee for degree/ diploma and provisional degree certificates by 25% of the existing fees. The syndicate has also decided to give green signal to applications from various self-financing arts and science colleges for starting various new courses.
The panel took an in-principle decision to give approval for appointment to teaching posts done till 23rd February, 2016 in aided colleges. There were allegations that the laxity in university's part in giving clearance to teachers' appointment have put several teachers in lurch. The syndicate also decided to award PhD to 30 candidates.