Corrupt government officials are at large

FIR has been filed against some institution heads

Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts Exclusive

A shocking revelation by the Sprouts Special Investigation Team (SIT), based on information obtained via RTI, has exposed a massive corruption scandal worth thousands of crores in the Fee Regulatory Authority (FRA). The FRA Chairperson, allegedly in collusion with corrupt institutional heads, approved inflated and false fee hike proposals submitted with affidavits by several colleges across Maharashtra.

The Role of the Fee Regulatory Authority

The Fee Regulatory Authority (FRA) is responsible for approving fee structures for non-aided colleges, including law, engineering, and medical colleges in Maharashtra. To propose a fee hike, colleges are required to submit detailed affidavits outlining previous expenditures on salaries (for teaching and non-teaching staff), infrastructure, and other facilities. Fee approvals are granted annually based on these documents.

However, numerous corrupt institutional heads allegedly submitted false information and forged documents to the FRA. In an astounding breach of protocol, FRA officials reportedly approved these bogus fee hike proposals without conducting any verifications.

Exploiting the System

This corruption not only allowed institutional heads to unjustly hike fees but also enabled them to exploit government scholarship schemes. Substantial funds were siphoned off from the Social Welfare Department, Tribal Development Department, and Minority Welfare Department. Every year, colleges continued submitting falsified documents and fake audits to justify the inflated fees, defrauding students and the government alike.

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FRA’s Role Under Scrutiny

The scandal escalated as it was discovered that institutional heads submitted falsified affidavits, but FRA officials failed to verify these documents or conduct physical inspections of colleges. Even more alarming is the suppression of complaints regarding fee fraud filed by students and social organizations. These complaints, which pointed out glaring irregularities, were allegedly buried by high-ranking FRA officials in violation of the law.

A Call for Accountability

This exposé highlights systemic corruption within the FRA, with significant financial losses to the government and distress to students. The collusion between institutional heads and FRA officials underscores the urgent need for accountability and strict oversight to restore credibility in the regulatory framework.

The Sprouts SIT continues investigating, bringing the perpetrators’ misdeeds to light.

Unmesh Gujarathi
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