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Maharashtra Appoints Retired Judge to Probe College Fee Scam Allegations

The Maharashtra government has announced a high-level inquiry committee headed by a retired High Court judge to investigate serious allegations of irregularities in the college fee fixation process. Higher Education Minister Chandrakant Patil stated the probe will examine complaints of colleges inflating costs by claiming salaries for non-existent staff and fictitious construction projects. He warned that if a large-scale scam is uncovered, the government could form a Special Investigation Team or involve the Economic Offences Wing. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and its policy of bearing fees for students from SC, ST, OBC categories and eligible girls.

Key Points: Maharashtra to Probe College Fee Irregularities with Retired Judge

  • Retired HC judge to lead probe
  • Alleged inflation of salaries and construction costs
  • Possible escalation to SIT or EOW
  • Fee burden covered for SC/ST/OBC students
  • Deputy Secretary to oversee investigation
2 min read

Maha govt to appoint retired HC judge to probe college fee irregularities

Maharashtra govt forms high-level inquiry led by retired HC judge to investigate alleged fee fixation scams in colleges, may lead to SIT or FIRs.

"If the inquiry reveals a large-scale scam, the government will not hesitate to appoint a Special Investigation Team (SIT), file FIRs, or involve the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). - Chandrakant Patil"

Mumbai, March 11

Taking serious note of complaints regarding discrepancies in the college fee fixation process, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil on Wednesday announced in the Legislative Assembly that a high-level inquiry committee, headed by a retired High Court judge, will be constituted to investigate the matter.

The announcement came in response to a calling attention motion tabled by MLA Mahesh Shinde, with MLA Prashant Bamb also participating in the discussion.

Minister Patil explained that, according to Supreme Court directives, the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA) is functional in the state. Colleges are mandated to submit audited financial reports for the previous year. Fees are determined by dividing the total approved expenditure by the number of students, and remain applicable for a three-year period.

The Minister said that several complaints have surfaced alleging that colleges are inflating costs. "Specific irregularities include claiming salaries for non-existent professors, including costs for construction projects that never took place, and general inflation of miscellaneous expenses to hike fees," he said.

He further stated: "If the inquiry reveals a large-scale scam, the government will not hesitate to appoint a Special Investigation Team (SIT), file FIRs, or involve the Economic Offences Wing (EOW)."

To ensure a thorough and unbiased probe, a Deputy Secretary-level officer from the Higher and Technical Education Department will be appointed to oversee the entire investigation process, Minister Patil said.

He also reaffirmed the government's commitment to education, noting that the state currently bears the fee burden for students from SC, ST and OBC categories, as well as for girls from families with an annual income of up to Rs 8 lakh.

"The government is committed to ensuring that educational institutions remain transparent and that no student is overcharged through fraudulent accounting practices," he said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Salaries for ghost professors? Construction costs for projects that don't exist? This is daylight robbery of middle-class families. The SIT and EOW must be brought in immediately. Hope this isn't just an announcement before elections.
A
Aditya G
Good move by the govt. The Fee Regulating Authority clearly isn't enough if such blatant fraud is happening. A high-level committee with judicial oversight can actually dig deep. Transparency in education fees is a basic right.
S
Sarah B
While I appreciate the intent, I'm skeptical. We've seen so many committees formed that lead nowhere. The proof will be in the action taken. Will influential college managements actually face consequences, or will this be quietly shelved after some time?
M
Meera T
The fee burden scheme for SC, ST, OBC students and girls is commendable. But what about general category students from lower-middle-class families? They are squeezed the most. The probe should also ensure fees are reasonable for ALL.
V
Vikram M
This has been a long-standing issue. Colleges have become business houses. Appointing a deputy secretary to oversee is a good administrative step to keep pressure on the committee. Hope they name and shame the guilty institutions.

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