Date:13/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/13/stories/2008011353810500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Restructuring of BDS fees likely

Deepa Kurup

Four-year fee to be spread over five years: DCI

BANGALORE: The State Government is likely to restructure the fees for the undergraduate dental course following extension of the BDS degree from four to five years.

The State Government on December 30, 2007, had announced that the fee structure and seat matrix would remain unchanged for this academic year.

Speaking to The Hindu, Siddaiah, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare (Medical Education), said that while making the announcement they were not aware of the extension of the course duration. “The letter from the Dental Council of India (DCI) informing us of the extension, and the recommendation that the overall fees not be increased, had gone to our old building which caused confusion. It has been brought to our notice. We are holding talks and are looking at a revamp,” he explained.

Last month, the Government at a meeting between the Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental colleges-Karnataka and the Karnataka Examinations Authority, chaired by the Governor’s adviser P.P. Prabhu, declared an annual fee of Rs. 25,000 for government dental colleges and Rs. 2,35,000 for private dental colleges. Neither the course duration nor the recommendation by the DCI was discussed. The DCI, in a letter dated November 1, 2007, addressed to the secretaries of Medical Education Departments of all States and registrars of universities, stated that the four-year fee should now be spread evenly over five years. Though the State Government pleads ignorance about this directive, Anil Kohli, president of the DCI, felt that there are “vested interests” at play. “Managements see this as a chance to make more money,” he said.

Following a report in these columns on the confusion over the fee structure, Mr. Kohli said he spoke to the State Government to make sure that the fee burden on the students was not increased further.

“With the new syllabus there is no increase in equipment or faculty. So where is the question of fee increase,” he said.

Sources said that the COMED-K plans to hold its general body meeting on January 17 to discuss the issue.