The state government today promulgated Maharashtra Unaided Private Professional Education Institutions (Regulation of Admissions and Fees) Ordinance to establish fee and admission regulatory authorities for recognised professional courses run by private unaided institutions.
Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao has signed the ordinance and it thus immediately comes into effect.
It will cover all the private unaided medical, engineering and management colleges, among other institutes.
"The state government is also ready to file a caveat in the Bombay High Court, keeping in view the opposition from education barons to the ordinance," state Education minister Vinod Tawde told reporters.
The ordinance contemplates a Fee Regulating Authority, headed by a retired High Court judge. It will determine fees, and have powers to penalise for charging fees in excess. Concessions given by the government for land would be considered while determining fees, among other factors.
The institutions will allot management quota only on merit. There would be no separate Common Entrance Test of individual colleges from this academic year.
Instead, Admission Regulation Authority (ARA) headed by a retired High Court judge will conduct CET for each course.
The Fee Regulating Authority would have as its members eminent educationists, a chartered accountant, a cost accountant and an expert in the field of professional education apart from senior government officials.
Those found guilty of giving incorrect information, fabricated books of accounts, or of attempt to increase fees arbitrarily face up to six months' jail term.
The bill to convert the ordinance into an Act is expected to be introduced in the monsoon session of state legislature.
