Hyderabad: Students of postgraduate courses in dental colleges have been asked to pay the balance amount of fee hiked in 2023, after the release of Government Orders 107, 131 and 20.
The first year MDS students have been asked to pay the full amount, whereas the second year students have to pay the balance 40 per cent of the fee. This is immediately after the High Court refused to intervene in the matter.
The All India Dental Students Association has highlighted the students' concern of increased financial strain due to this decision. "We want a review of these government orders as the fee after the hike is significantly high in comparison with neighbouring states. The Telangana Admission and Fee Regulation Committee (TAFRC) has maintained that hike has been made due to the stipends paid to the postgraduate students,” said Dr Manzur, the president of All India Dental Students and Surgeons Association.
“However, stipends are given in return for the services provided by students in hospitals. They also help alleviate the financial burden on students."
The students highlight that there is a significant difference in fee for both Category A (convener quota) and Category B (management quota) seats between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. While Telangana students have to pay between Rs 5.75 lakh and Rs 7.75 lakh for Category A seats, AP students pay Rs 3.41 lakh to Rs 4.96 lakh. For Category B, Telangana students pay between Rs 13 lakh and Rs 24 lakh and students in AP pay Rs 6.83 lakh to Rs 9.93 lakh.
Dr Manzur also highlighted that fee parity needs to be maintained in the region for students. He pointed out that students lost the court case as they did not have efficient legal support to fight for their concerns.
