Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Oct 16: Chaos erupted at Srinivas College, Pandeshwar here on Wednesday October 15 after students of BBM alleged that the college management was collecting exorbitant fines, much more than the stipulated amount, for attendance shortage. 

The Mangalore university semester examinations are scheduled to begin from Thursday October 16, but nearly a hundred students who have attendance shortage have not been given hall tickets, it is said. Though the fine for attendance shortage under university guidelines is Rs 900 per subject, the college administration was allegedly collecting Rs 20,000 to Rs 70,000 from each student.

The college warned that those who do not pay the above amount would be denied hall tickets, the students alleged.

Meanwhile, some of the students even alleged that when they checked at Mangalore University, their attendance records showed no shortage, but the college was collecting fines insisting that they were lacking in attendance. "The college administration is looting us in the name of attendance shortage," alleged one of the students.

"Some of the students have already paid the fine and have been given receipts terming the amount as 'additional class fee'. The principal says that the fee has been calculated as Rs 700 per hour of class taken. But so far, no additional classes have been taken for any subject. The college cannot demand such a big amount as fine for attendance shortage as per university rules, hence it is terming it as 'additional class fee'," claimed the students.

It is said that a few of the students had already paid the fine and received their hall tickets, but those who could not afford to pay protested against the college administration on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, principal of Srinivas Institute of Management Studies, Dr P S Aithal, clarified that the college had not demanded any fine for allowing students to answer the exams. "Out of concern for students, we conducted additional classes so that they can sit for the exams, that's all," he said.

When asked if the additional classes had the university's approval, Dr Aithal said it was the college's internal matter.

The students, however, stuck to their allegations that the college had flouted rules to 'loot' them. It was later learnt through sources that having no choice with exams about to begin, the students paid the fine and got their hall tickets.