State Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy today said that there would be no change in the fee structure for engineering colleges this year.

Speaking to reporters at Anna University, Chennai, here, he said Justice Balasubramaniam Committee which was formed to fix the engineering fees structure, has submitted its report to the government yesterday.

As per its recommendations, the government would follow the last year’s pattern in collecting fees which includes Rs 32,500 for government quota and Rs 62,500 seats for management quota seats.

The seats would be filled on the basis on 65:35 ratio and in minority colleges it would be 50:50. The Minister said at present there were 85,000 engineering seats in Tamilnadu and another 15,000 seats are expected to be added, if the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approved applications submitted from private institutions to run new colleges.

Asked about self-financing colleges collecting huge capitation fees, Ponmudy said the vigilance committee formed by the government would continue to raid the colleges based on the complaints from the students.

‘The action to be taken against the erring colleges would be known during the discussion on Demand for Grants on Higher Education which is to be taken up at the State Assembly on 23 June,’ Ponmudy said.

He also said that the Technical Education Department has sent a circular to minority engineering colleges to submit the list of seats available under minority quota. These colleges have been given 10-days time to submit the report, he added.

In order to put an end to capitation fees in engineering colleges, the Minister requested the parents to wait till the end of counselling session and not seek admissions at the early stage, wherein they have to pay capitation fees.

From the next academic year, the government would ensure that the gap between the announcement of the Plus Two results and commencement of counselling was reduced and admissions would begin soon to overcome complaints regarding collection of huge fees, he added.

To discuss various issues relating to the higher education and the role of State governments in Deemed Universities, Ponmudy along with State Higher Education Department Secretary K Ganesan would meet Union Human Resource Minister Kabil Sibal at New Delhi tomorrow.