Engineering Colleges Sell Seats before Counselling Begins in Telangana

 Hyderabad: As the first phase of engineering counselling in Telangana is set to commence on June 27, 2024, allegations have surfaced that several engineering colleges are selling management quota seats at exorbitant prices.

Prominent institutions like Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology (CBIT) and Anurag University were named among those charging high fees for management seats. The CBIT reportedly demands up to Rs 18 lakh, while Anurag University has been charging Rs 5 lakh.

Other institutions such as Niel Gogte Institute of Technology (NGIT) are said to be collecting fees as high as Rs 10 lakhs. These prices are significantly higher than what is typically expected for management quota seats.

Satyanarayana N., a concerned parent, stated that "Even before the Eapcet results were announced, Anurag University requested us to pay half the fee, Rs 2.85 lakhs, to secure a seat claiming that all seats would be booked by then."

Despite repeated attempts, none of the management representatives from Anurag University, CBIT, NGIT, or other colleges were available for comment.

Chairman R. Limbadri, speaking to Deccan Chronicle, assured that the council would investigate these claims. He said, "There is no rule that allows private colleges to hike fees to a whopping ₹10-20 lakhs at their discretion. Any parents encountering such issues can lodge a complaint with TSCHE, which will take appropriate action."

According to TSCHE guidelines, 30 per cent of seats in engineering colleges are reserved under the management quota also known as Category B seats. These seats are meant to be allocated based on merit and the eligibility criteria set by the council, rather than through exorbitant fees.

The first phase of Eamcet counselling will run from June 27 to July 12, followed by the second phase from July 19 to 24, and the final phase concluding on August 5. The TSCHE has urged students and parents to adhere strictly to the official counselling process to avoid falling prey to these unscrupulous practices.

For further information on the management quota and the associated admission processes, students can refer to the detailed guidelines provided by TSCHE and the respective college managements.