View source for Mhrd letter 2014 for fee structure

== '''Memorandum Submitted to Hon. Minister, MHRD''' ==
Respected Sir/Madam,

====== SUBJECT: '''REQUEST TO REVOKE THE NEW FEE STRUCTURE FOR B-Tech COURSE AT National Institute of Technology, Calicut(NITC), Kerala.''' ======
The Students Affairs Council of NIT Calicut, is writing this letter on behalf of all the students of NIT Calicut with reference to the notice issued by the MHRD dated 1st July 2014 with reference number No.F.33-4/2014-TS.lll . The tuition fee of B-Tech students at NITs all over the country has been doubled, with effect from the coming semester. '''This has caused great anxiety''' and an unbelievable amount of stress and presents itself as a '''tragic  financial blow''' to a large group of  B-Tech students  (over 4500), as well as their parents,of our institute.

           	Our current tuition fee sums up to a total of ------- annually. As per the new notice, it sums up to a staggering amount of   --------. We would like to bring to your kind attention that our '''college is home to students from all social and economic backgrounds with financial constraints'''. Knowledge is wealth they say. But will the price they pay for this wealth destroy the dreams and hopes of parents and students?

Such an impulsive form of fee incrementation, in such a reputed college aided by the National Government comes as  tragic and unbearable news to a lot of financially backward families whose hopes rests on their ward. It is a matter of pride for every parent to have their child admitted in the NIT for obvious reasons, but such a pride should not come at a price that is uncalled for or simply not affordable. For years, every middle or lower class Indian family abides by a certain financial setup, to make ends meet at the end of every month. Many will have to depend on banks, moneylenders and pawnbrokers to pay the already existing amount. A hasty and unnecessary increase of fees will just add to the misery. The financial estimate at the time of admission will be totally dismantled. A second year student, at the time of passing out, will have to pay an estimated amount of 1,30,000 in excess due to this new fee hike. Such an amount is a huge sum for the son of a farmer or a small vendor. As a reason, some of the brightest minds of the Nation will have to '''drop out from the college as they simply cannot afford to pay''' for the their dreams.

In most other NITs except NIT Calicut, classes have already commenced and the hike in fees, if implemented, will only have to be paid eventually. The registration for our successive semester will happen '''ten days from now'''. None of the parents have yet been informed about the possible increase in fees. This will come as a shock to many parents, as they will have to arrange the excess amount within the specified date, especially if they have more than one child studying in the NIT. If they fail to do so, the registration of their ward will remain cancelled and they will, in turn, '''lose a year of their life'''. Such a course of action taking place in the life of a student who managed to get into one of the top colleges in the country is simply tragic.

'''On such short notice, it would be impossible for most parents to raise the hiked amount.''' Banks do not bend the loan schemes  to accommodate revisal of fee structure.Scholarships have not been upgraded to support the newly proposed fee plan. '''Such a gigantic increase in the fees would leave every parent confused with nowhere to run for money.'''

The very concept of Nationally significant institutes endorsed by the government was that every talented mind could afford a world class education .NITs boast of being the pride of the country, having the cream of the country’s minds. This demand could cause a migration of brilliant students in the coming years to other government colleges of equally good academic progress that would give them a promising future without having to burden their parents with the hefty price tag that comes with such a form of quality education. This will '''bring down the standards of our college by leaps and bounds'''. On such grounds, the effects of doubling the tuition fees would only tarnish the reputation of our college and destroy the dreams of many bright minds throughout the nation. 

           	We hope you will sympathise with us on this situation and '''look into the matter at the earliest for proper urgent changes''' and revive us form such cruel rules'''.''' We strongly insist that this absurd new change be undone and the fee revision be cancelled with immediate effect, taking our apprehensions into consideration.

Hoping for a favourable action from your end.

Thanking you

==== WRITE UP FOR SAC PAGE AGAINST FEES HIKE ====
This notice is to bring to light the recent decision of the Union MHRD to double the fees at all NIT institutes across the country. According to this new order, No. F.33-4/2014-TS.III, dated May 5th, 2014 all NIT’s are allowed a monstrous and irrational 100 % fee hike which is applied to all existing and future students of these institutions. The new fees hike is undesirable for a number of reasons including family background of students, quality of education and facilities provided. First of all it seems quite unfair that the existing students, who only have a limited time left at the college, also have to pay the newly improvised fees. These students will not be able to reap the so called benefits of the supplementary fees. This sudden increase in fees for existing students will not only be an extended load on our families, but will also hinder any financial planning that was done prior to the course. Also many amongst us come from economically weaker backgrounds and have signed up for educational loans, which now becomes even more difficult to pay off. When a similar fees hike was introduced in the IIT’s two years back, it wasn’t made applicable to the existing batch of students. This seemingly unfair bias amongst institutes of national importance further calls upon the need for us, the students, to ask for revised rules for the fees hike.

All students also need to understand that this decision was solely undertaken by the MHRD and the institutions themselves have no direct say in this matter. A few of the NIT’s have already implemented this new order much to the remorse and shock of parents and students alike.

We, as the students of NIT-C, need to ensure that the same fate does not befall us. Actions have already been undertaken by the SAC to ensure that our voices are heard and that the order isrevoked. A meeting of the interim SAC with the Director was convened on the 18<sup>th</sup> of July. The director and the registrar patiently listened to our difficulties and informed us that they were already aware of the same and are helpless with regard to undoing the order.  The minutes of the meeting are attached below.

Therefore it is our duty to ensure that we inform the MHRD about how cheated we feel and the only way we can do this is to raise awareness amongst ourselves and our other friends who are studying at other NIT’s across the country. Remember that, we are not asking the MHRD for a favor, but are demanding something which is practically and rationally justified. Meanwhile the SAC will continue its efforts and hope that you do the same.

Simple Letter (Not to be used ) (for reference only )


July 20, 2014

The Director

Department of Higher Education,

Ministry of Human resource Development,

Shastri Bhawan,

New Delhi – 110001.


Sir,


Sub.:  Issue regarding the fee hike brought about in NITs.


In response to circular F .No.33 - 4/ 2014- TS.III, we write this letter o address the grievance of the student community of NITC. Since the circular issued recommending the fee hike for the general category students has brought about anxiety among students, we would like to bring to your notice this injustice against students.


The news that the government has decided to double the tuition fees from around 35,000 to 70,000 per annum from the coming academic session has led to resentment among both students and parents. When there have been no additional facilities provided to the students or improvements made in the infrastructure, the reason for fee hike remains obscure.  There have been earlier issues regarding the infrastructural facilities being offered at NITC as there had been an unfortunate incident where the poor construction of a wall in campus had claimed a life. Having these earlier issues not addressed, another grievance has supplemented it. Being an institution of national importance, the student community of NITC expects well furnished labs and infrastructure.


Earlier it was a common aspiration of students to study with less tuition fees from government engineering colleges like IITs and NITs, whereas now this aspiration has become a bit more expensive. A 100% hike is an alarming increase as it is not a small amount to common man. Together with the increasing everyday expenses a hike as large as this is a burden to middle class families. It also raises concern among those students availing educational loans to pursue engineering as their pre approved loan instalments will be adversely impacted. If the decision to revise fees for PhD programmes was to encourage engineers to go for research work, then there should be also encouragement for students to take up engineering in national institutes in the first place.


We expect the concerned authorities to look into the above mentioned issues as soon as possible and recede the circular which brought the fee hike in effect.


Thanking You.


Yours Sincerely,


                	.