TN engineering colleges directed to release certificates of SC/ST students

All engineering colleges along with Anna University have been asked by the Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE) to release original certificates of SC/ST students withheld due to the concession fee issue, according to The New Indian Express.

This decision comes from the directorate after complaints from students claiming that they were losing job offers and higher education opportunities as the colleges refused to give them course completion and transfer certificates even after they complete their course. 

Under the scheme, the Central and State government together need to reimburse the institutions with all compulsory non-refundable fees and maintenance charges. But according to an official document, out of Rs 1147.11 crore to be reimbursed, only Rs 686.53 crore was sanctioned and distributed and the remaining Rs 460.57 crore is yet to be reimbursed, according to TNIE.

Because of which, the colleges started pressurizing students to pay fee upfront during admissions and they would reimburse it once the government funds reaches them. This was opposed by activists and educationists and the matter was resolved temporarily. Now, even after the students completed their courses the amount has not reached the college and the colleges are forcing the students to pay the concession fees to get the certificates in return.

M Nizamudeen, General Secretary, Consumer Federation Tamilnadu (CONFET) told TNIE, "So, the colleges have refused to release the students certificates until the students paid the concession fees, even if they wanted it urgently for higher education or job opportunities."