Kathmandu, November 11

The government has given a 15-day ultimatum to medical colleges to return the extra fees taken from students.

It has warned that a fraud case will be filed against such medical colleges if they fail to return the money taken from students within the stipulated time.

Speaking at a press meet today, Minister of Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel said, “We have given a 15-day ultimatum to medical colleges to return the extra fees taken from students. We have also sent a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs informing about the case.” He added, “If medical colleges fail to return the extra money taken from students, the Ministry of Home Affairs will start the necessary procedure for punishing such medical colleges.”

Minister Pokharel also said that the medical colleges should abide by the Medical Education Act and the Cabinet’s decision. He also requested parents and students to help the government by not agreeing with the medical colleges’ unequal demands regarding fees.

Medical students have been protesting against exorbitant fees charged in violation of the government’s rule.

Students of Chitwan Medical College had ended their protest with the signing of an agreement with the college authorities on September 21, at District Administration Office, Chitwan. The government had given a month’s ultimatum to return the extra charges on September 23.

A meeting was held at Chitwan District Administration Office between college students and college administrators. The agreement stated that either the college would return the extra fees taken from students or adjust the fees by November 4.

Students from Chitwan Medical College, Universal Medical College, Bhairahawa; and National Medical College, Birgunj, had jointly staged protest in the capital in November as medical colleges refused to return the extra fees despite the government’s warning.

The government had put a cap on the amount colleges could take from students.

A Cabinet meeting, last year, had capped the fees for MBBS course at Rs 3.85 million in Kathmandu valley and Rs 4.24 million outside the valley. However, colleges were found to be charging extra money under different headings.

The government increased the fees for MBBS and BDS programmes for this fiscal. As per the revised fee structure, a Nepali student pursuing MBBS inside Kathmandu valley will have to pay Rs 4.02 million for a five-and-a-half-year course and students pursuing MBBS outside Kathmandu valley will have to pay Rs 4.44 million.