The Assam College Principals’ Council (ACPC) has expressed strong opposition to what it describes as an arbitrary increase in fees by Gauhati University (GU). The council has formally requested the state government to intervene in the matter, citing concerns over the revised fee structure and the introduction of new charges.
ACPC Submits Representation to Chief Minister
In a statement released on Sunday, the ACPC disclosed that it had submitted a representation to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The council urged him to take action against the fee hike and what it termed as the unlawful imposition of new fee categories by GU. The council specifically objected to the introduction of additional Permission and Affiliation fees for the commencement of fourth-year classes under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP).
Concerns Over FYUGP Fees
The ACPC pointed out that colleges affiliated with GU had already admitted students under the FYUGP in 2023, following the regulations approved by the university. The council argued that the imposition of additional fees for the fourth year was unjustified and placed an unnecessary financial burden on both colleges and students.
Furthermore, the council highlighted that other universities in the state, such as Dibrugarh University and Assam University, have not imposed similar additional fees on their affiliated colleges. This, according to the ACPC, creates an inequitable and discriminatory situation within the state. The statement was jointly issued by ACPC president Dharmendra Nath and general secretary Ranjan Kalita.
Legality of Revised Fee Structure Questioned
The ACPC has also questioned the legality and procedural validity of the revised fee structure notified by GU on April 29. The council is demanding a clear explanation from the university regarding the basis for the fee increase and the introduction of new charges. Additionally, the council has urged the state government to formulate a uniform fee policy titled “One State, One University Fee Policy” for all affiliated universities in Assam.
Call for Uniform Fee Policy
The ACPC noted that while the state government had already introduced a uniform admission fee structure for degree colleges, the revised fee structure imposed by GU exceeds the ceiling fixed by the government. The council believes that a uniform fee policy would ensure fairness and consistency across all universities in the state, preventing any single institution from imposing arbitrary fees.
The council hopes that the state government will take prompt action to address these concerns and protect the interests of students and colleges alike. The ACPC remains committed to advocating for transparent and equitable fee structures in higher education.
