Pillar to post quest for poor engineering aspirants

When R Priyadarshini, a first generation student from a lower middle class family in Moolakadai, managed to get a seat in a private engineering college in Chennai through the Anna University counselling, she was filled with the hope of a promising future. But all her dreams crashed when she approached the college with her allotment letter.

Although Priyadarshini, being a first generation student, is eligible for a government financial support to study, she has allegedly been asked to pay an annual fee of `72,000 (including hostel charges) within 10 days if she had to be admitted.

“When we asked for a bonafide letter for applying for an education loan, they said it would be provided once the first year fee is paid. They also fixed a timeframe after which I might have to forfeit the seat. Banks are refusing to give us loans until a bonafide certificate, issued by the college, is submitted,” she said, in a tearful tone.

Priyadarshini is not alone. Over 50 candidates belonging to economically weaker sections are now on the verge of giving up their engineering ambitions thanks to a plethora of demands placed by colleges and banks. Some of them narrated their plight at a press conference organised by Velicham, an NGO, here on Friday.

Students said while the colleges were being unreasonable by demanding a full term fee even when the surety of reimbursement from the government exist, the banks provide bizarre reasons for denying loans.

“When we approached the bank at the Anna University, we were told to go to the local branch. However, the local branch office directed us to a another bank,” said Shanthi, Priyadarshini’s mother.

RVijay, a first generation student from Thiruvallur, said while he was told the allotment letter provided during counselling would do to apply for a loan, banks insist on the bonafide certificate. “We provided all documents to prove that I am eligible for government reimbursements. Even then they asked me to pay the fee within a stipulated time,” he said.

The students appealed to the government to step in and ensure that banks give loans on the basis of the allotment letter and colleges do not insist on payment of fees for the first year.