Jaipur, Feb 18 (NationPress) The Rajasthan Assembly experienced a significant uproar on Wednesday regarding the alleged collection of a “consultation fee” amounting to Rs 1,000 from students in state universities and colleges. Opposition members accused the government of a lack of transparency and irregularities in the fee collection process.

Manish Yadav, a Congress MLA from Shahpura, brought the issue to light during the House session, claiming that the government has permitted unauthorized fee collections from students over a prolonged period. He questioned the legality and rationale behind the so-called “discussion fee”, asserting that it has been levied since the 2016–17 academic year, contrary to established regulations and without proper legal support.

Yadav pointed to Rajrishi Bhartrihari Matsya University, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, and Rajasthan University, alleging that prior vice-chancellors imposed this fee unlawfully and against the existing financial regulations governing universities.

In response, Higher Education Minister Prem Chand Bairwa disclosed that Rajrishi Bhartrihari Matsya University gathered Rs 22.16 crore between 2018–19 and 2024–25, Mohanlal Sukhadia University amassed Rs 43.16 crore from 2020–21 to 2024–25, and Rajasthan University collected Rs 156.18 crore from 2017–18 to 2024–25. In total, approximately Rs 223 crore was collected from around 22.5 lakh students, which, according to the minister, was earmarked for examination-related activities and other academic functions.

Yadav strongly contested this explanation, questioning how the collected fee could be allocated for examination purposes when students are already paying separate examination fees. He demanded complete transparency regarding the use of the funds.

“How many counselling centers were established? How many students received guidance or counseling? A comprehensive report detailing the expenditure must be submitted in the House,” he insisted.

Yadav further claimed that there is no provision under the University Act that allows such a fee, especially from private students, and accused the government of not clarifying the legal basis and utilization of the funds collected.

Leader of the Opposition, Tika Ram Jully, also accused the government of misleading the Assembly and providing inconsistent answers regarding the matter.

“You are reading an order, not the Act. Under which law are you imposing this fee? The government’s previous responses on this topic have been contradictory,” Jully questioned, further challenging the legitimacy of the fee.

Both Jully and Yadav called for the immediate cessation of the fee and demanded the refund of the amounts collected from students.

Labeling the fee collection as a “robbery from students’ pockets”, Yadav claimed there is no proof that the Rs 223 crore collected was used for academic discussions or student counseling services. He described the situation as a serious breach of financial standards and urged the Governor's intervention, a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities, and a refund to students.

Jully also accused Minister Prem Chand Bairwa of breaching the Assembly's privilege by providing conflicting information on the subject. He alleged that the minister’s statements regarding the “discussion fee” were misleading and inconsistent, increasing tensions within the Assembly.

Despite the heated debates, the Speaker ruled that the matter could not be further discussed during Question Hour. Nevertheless, Opposition members persisted in their protests, leading to multiple interruptions in the proceedings.

Ultimately, Question Hour concluded amidst chaos, with Opposition members continuing their demonstrations and accusing the government of financial misconduct, a lack of transparency, and failing to safeguard students’ interests.

This issue resulted in ongoing disruption within the Assembly, highlighting the stark divide between the ruling government and the Opposition concerning the legality and allocation of funds gathered from students at state universities.