The Hindu : Institute directed to compensate student

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 17, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Institute directed to compensate student

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA FEB. 16. The District Consumer Forum-II, Vijayawada has ordered the Siddharta Institute of Medical Technology, Moghalrajapuram, and its Director, K. V. Suresh, to pay a compensation of Rs. 20,000 to a girl student for allegedly deceiving her by stating that the institute was recognised by the State Government.

The Forum, which passed the `ex-parte decree' as the respondents failed to turn up for hearing also directed the institute to refund the tuition fee of Rs. 6,500 with 12 per cent interest.

According to the complainant, K. Neeraja Vani of Baptist Nagar, based on a newspaper advertisement given by the institute that it was Government-recognised, she got herself admitted to the first-year medical lab technician course in June 2001 paying Rs. 6,500 as tuition fee.

At the time of admission she submitted her SSC marks list and caste certificate. Subsequently, she learnt that the institute was neither recognised by the Board of Vocational Education, Government of AP nor affiliated to the All India Council of Technical Education as claimed by it.

Ironically, according to Ms Neeraja, she and other students were enrolled as students of Sri Gudibandi Somi Reddy Junior College (vocational), Kollipara, by the institute in the same course without their knowledge or consent. Subsequently the Somi Reddy College issued notices to Neeraja and other students to pay tuition and other fees to them.

Afraid of losing an academic year, the complainant paid the tuition fee again. She also lodged a complaint with the VII Town Police Station about the institute. The institute failed to return her SSC marks list.

Following this she lodged a complaint with the Forum. Though the Forum issued notices to the institute, the latter failed to turn up for the hearing.

The complainant in support of her charges produced letters received from the Somi Reddy College informing her that she had been admitted to the medical lab technician course at the instance of the respondent. The letter also noted that Ms. Neeraja had not paid the fees and is she fails to do so her admission stands cancelled.

She also furnished a letter from the Siddhartha Institute of Medical Technology that they could not get recognition for the institute due to which she had to be enrolled as student of the Somi Reddy College. She was also informed that her SSC marks list was misplaced.

Based on evidence produced by the victim, the bench comprising the forum president, D. Satyanarayana Reddi, and members, P. V. V. Satyanarayana Murthy and G, Bharathi, made an `ex-parte' ruling that the complainant was entitled to get a compensation of Rs. 20,000 from the respondents on account of mental agony and suffering undergone by her. The institute was asked to refund the tuition fee of Rs. 6,500 along with interest of 12 per cent per annum and Rs. 1,000 towards legal costs. The institute was directed to comply with the directive within four weeks.

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