Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology has asked the students who are pursuing M.Tech belonging to SC/ST categories to pay the tuition fee which was waived by HRD Ministry. This decision has been taken as the institute is facing a severe financial crisis.
The institute mentioned that the HRD Ministry has not waived the entire course fee. The students need to submit the post metric scholarships which are issued by the state government. In return, the students opined that they did not get any scholarships as the HRD Ministry waived their fee.
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An M.Tech student, Mr. Pradeep said, most of the students joined the institute as there is 100% fee waiver. The sudden demand for the fee is really concerning them. Most of the students are unable to pay the course fee. The authorities of the institute mentioned that they are not going to issue the mark sheets and degrees if the students fail to pay the fee.
Manish Kumar Gautam, a student mentioned that the MHRD has waived 100% of fee i.e. Rs.45,000 in the year 2014. The sudden demand for a fee will make some of the students to discontinue their studies.
Another student, Mr. Raj Kumar said that they have talked to the students of other NITs and clarified that no other NIT is asking SC/ST students to pay the fees. It is an independent decision taken by the institute itself.
The students even took this issue to the Director of MANIT, NS Chowdary and he did not acknowledge the problem and mentioned that fee payment is compulsory, since the institute has been facing financial crisis.
However, PRO of MANIT, Mr. Ajay Verma said that there is no provision of 100% fee waiver for SC/ST students. The students need to submit their post metric scholarship and the remaining amount.
The students have approached the local MP and have written a letter to MHRD in this regard.