SC orders medical college to return additional fee to students

LAHORE: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered Pak Red Crescent Medical and Dental College administration to refund the fee, received in excess of Rs850,000, to students in a week.

The court directed that the college bank accounts could only be used for returning the additional fee to students and payment of salaries to the employees. The court also ordered the college administration to submit a report of daily expenses in the court.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, passed these orders while hearing a suo motu notice regarding exorbitant fee structure of private medical colleges. The bench held the proceedings at Supreme Court Lahore Registry in afternoon after the visit of chief justice to the college, along with a bench member.

As the proceedings resumed, the chief justice observed that the decision of visiting Pak Red Crescent College proved useful as they witnessed everything for themselves; otherwise they could have been deceived. Similar, visits will also be made to other parts of the country, he said adding that they would not limit the process to only one province.

He observed that the medical college not only lacked in facilities but also having not proper faculty. He said that students had informed that the administration received 2 million rupees or more for admission to the college.

The bench, adjourning further hearing, asked amicus curiae Advocate, Ayesha Hamid and a chartered accountancy firm representative to submit the terms of reference (ToRs) for assessment of private medical colleges fee structure within two days. The fee structure should be unanimous in all colleges, the CJP observed.

Previously, in the morning, Ayesha Hamid apprised the bench that all private medical colleges had submitted their audit reports in compliance with the court directions. He suggested that the same should be forwarded to a chartered accountant firm for assessment of fee structure, adopted by the colleges.

However, the chief justice observed that any other mechanism could also be adopted for the purpose, instead of hiring a chartered accountant firm. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) assistance could also be sought to decide the fee issue, he added. Ayesha Hamid suggested that the PMDC is comprised of medical professionals whereas this matter is related to financial issues. PMDC secretary submitted that the Auditor General of Pakistan could be asked to suggest a firm for carrying out the exercise.

The counsel for private medical colleges association, Barrister Ali Zafar offered that the association would bear the expenses of the auditor firm.

At this, the bench agreed to call a chartered accountant firm and adjourned the hearing with a decision to pay a surprise visit of Pak Red Crescent Medical and Dental College.

The chief justice observed that the proceedings did not aim at closing any medical colleges which had been granted permission, until it becomes a compulsion.

He said that the bench would ensure implementation of the regulations and a reasonable fee structure.