On July 10, 2020 the Punjab and Haryana Court issued a notice to the Punjab Government as well as to Rajiv Gandhi National University of law (RGNUL). The Notice was in connection with the present Petition that was filed challenging the validity of decision not to reduce or waive the fee for upcoming semester. As per the order, the university will now not charge any late fee from the students failing to pay the fee by the last date. The notice issued by the university authority stated that the students had to deposit the fee by July 10 or have to face a fine for late fee starting from Rs. 1000.
A single Judge Bench passed the present order when the bench was hearing a Petition which was filed by the students of RGNUL students. The students were seeking a direction from the University regarding the amount of fee for August and December. During the hearing the undergraduate law students were represented by a senior Advocate Chetan Mittal. The Court ordered to hear the case on July 17. It was argued during the hearing that 50% of the total fee is being charged towards amenities, campus development, Moot Court, examination and library Fees.
Further it was said that hostel fee is also charged despite the fact that students did not reside in since March. The tuition fee that is charged is Rs. 55000 and other charges amount to Rs. 41000. The Petitioners argued that RGNUL receives a large amount of grant from the Punjab government and has even exempted the rent for shops, canteen, mess, and quarters to the tune of 25% from March. As per the record available there is FDR available with the University authority of Rs 48 crore. Still the authority is forcing the students to pay the full fees.
The students also alleged that the University is hardly conducting any online classes. Furthermore they argued that instead of adjusting the balance amount with that of previous session, it is demanding a full advance payment of fee for upcoming semester.
Justice B S Walia of the High Court was hearing this Petition. While passing this order the Petitioner brought forward few facts. According to the Petitioner students around 50% of the fee is being charged towards allied fee Rs 41000 which includes amenities fee of Rs. 23000, campus development fund Rs. 10000, Moot Court Rs 3000 and Rs 2000 as library fee. It was also before the honourable Court that Rs 15000 to Rs 17500 is being charged as hostel fee by the University despite the fact that the students are not residing or using the premise since March.
One of the students said:
“Even the online classes are not being conducted properly by the University”. As per the order of Punjab and Haryana High Court students of RGNUL will not be charged any late fee from the students failing to pay by the last date.
