Telangana doctors’ association urges KNRUHS to probe illegal MBBS fee collection at private medical college

The Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), Telangana, has urged the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) to initiate immediate action against the alleged illegal collection of fifth-year MBBS tuition fees by Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Narketpally, and to protect students from what it described as coercive measures adopted by the institution.

In a representation submitted to the Vice-Chancellor of KNRUHS on Thursday, July 30, the association said it had received a complaint from the parents and guardians of MBBS students belonging to the 2022 and 2024 batches. According to HRDA, the complaint alleged that the college was collecting the entire fifth-year tuition fee while students were still pursuing their fourth academic year, contrary to directions issued by the university.

The association referred to a KNRUHS letter dated April 21 in which the university had directed all affiliated medical colleges to calculate MBBS tuition fees only for four-and-a-half years and collect them in five equal instalments, warning that violations would invite strict action.

HRDA alleged that despite these directions, the college continued to demand the fifth-year fee in advance. It further claimed that students were being subjected to coercive practices, including denial of hostel accommodation despite payment of hostel fees, threats of eviction from hostels, and preventing day scholars from entering the campus or attending classes unless the disputed fee was paid.

The association requested KNRUHS to conduct an immediate inquiry into the alleged fee collection practices, direct the institution to comply with the university’s April 21 circular, stop all coercive measures against students, order refund or adjustment of any excess tuition fee collected, initiate appropriate regulatory and disciplinary action against the institution, and extend relief to all similarly placed MBBS students.