Engineering colleges receive warning from AICTE over forcing students to pay fees

The All Indian Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has warned engineering colleges and other technical institutions against forcing students to pay fees and non-payment of salaries to staff during the lockdown due to Covid-19 and directed withdrawal of any terminations made during the period.

The warning comes following complaints to the HRD Ministry's technical education regulator about colleges insisting on fees, not paying salaries and terminating staff during the lockdown.

"It has come to the knowledge of AICTE that certain standalone institutions are insisting that students should pay the fees, including admission fees, during the



lockdown. It is clarified that colleges and institutions should not insist on payment of fees till the ongoing lockdown is lifted and normalcy is restored," AICTE, Member secretary, Rajiv Kumar said in an advisory to colleges.

"It has also been learnt that various institutions have not paid a salary to their faculty and staff members, for the duration of the lockdown. Also, certain institutions have terminated the services of certain faculty and staff members. It is clarified that salary and other dues to the staff will be released for the duration of lockdown and also terminations, if any, made during the lockdown will be withdrawn. Hence, the same may be strictly complied with," he added.