The High Court on Thursday ordered notices to State Education Department, Vishweshwaraya Technological University (VTU) and Karnatak University, Dharwad on a petition challenging exorbitant examination fees for students under RFYS scheme.

Petitioners Krishna Rayareddi of Dharwad, Santosh Kumar of Belgaum, D Laxman Jagatap of Haveri and Vidudala Harikrishnan of Secunderabad, said they had completed engineering courses in Mechanical in 1993, 2001, 2002 and in Electricals and Electronics in 1997, respectively. But, were left with some uncleared subjects. The State government granted last opportunity for them to write the uncleared subjects in the exam to be held in December. But, the examination fee as notified on Nov 13, 2007 by Karnatak University, to which their engineering colleges were previously affiliated, is exorbitant, they said. The exam fee stipulated is Rs 10,000 per paper, Rs 15,000 for two papers, and if more than two papers, then Rs 25,000 per semester or year. They sought the Court to direct the University to allow them to appear for exams by collecting the fee prescribed for similar students of BE in Architecture at Rs 500.

Transfer
The HC dismissed a petition by some lecturers and non-teaching staff of Channakeshwara First Grade College, Saligrama village, Mysore district, who had sought a direction to the State government to transfer them to some Government First Grade College. The petition by lecturer H S Sreenivasa and some other teaching and non-teaching staff of Channakeshwara College said, the college had failed to obtain ‘B’ Grade Certificate from National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

They said, the Government was likely to stop the grants-in-aid for the college. The Government had granted time till Nov 1, 2007, to the college, for obtaining NAAC certificate, while putting on hold, its earlier decision to withdraw the grants-in-aid, they explained. The HC rejected the petition while giving liberty to the petitioners to file a review petition before the Government.