Students Appeal against NIFT Fee Hike Sustained, Delhi HC seeks Centre's Response
A petition filed in the Delhi High Court against NIFT fee hike has been sustained. The HC has asked the Centre and the institute to respond on the same. The petitioners claim that the decision of NIFT fee hike is ‘oppressive’ and ‘arbitrary’.
The High Court of Delhi has asked for the stand of Centre and NIFT on an appeal against a single judge order dissolving the pleas of some NIFT students. The students had challenged the NIFT decision of fee hike during the coronavirus pandemic. As per the latest reports, a bench of Justice Jyoti Singh and Chief Justice DN Patel has issued a notice to NIFT and the Ministry of Textiles, seeking their stance on the petitions filed by a few students of the institute. The petitions were moved against the circulars issued by NIFT in July and August 2020 regarding the fee hike.
Advocates Lakshay Garg and Abhik Chimni represented the students. They have sought to set aside the single judge's order October 21, 2020, of declining to intervene with the NIFT fee hike. As per the judge’s view, the decision of NIFT could not be termed as ‘oppressive’ and ‘arbitrary’. This needs to be noted that students had earlier claimed that the NIFT fee hike was ‘oppressive’ and ‘arbitrary’. They further highlighted that the action was in total violation of the NIFT Act of 2006 and applicable ordinances.
Also Read: NIFT Admission Seats Increased for 2021
Students stated that they and their families were encountering difficulties in paying this hiked NIFT fees due to the financial crisis caused due to COVID-19. They also claimed that due to the ongoing online classes, students are not able to utilise the NIFT infrastructure and other facilities usually offered by the institute.
The appeal sought a direction to NIFT and stated that if the illegal fee hike that has been imposed on students will not be set aside, it will adversely affect the academic work of petitioners and other students of the institute. The appeal further said that this decision will further push the students to discontinue their respective studies at the institute.
Also Read: NIFT Announces Entrance Exam Dates 2021: Exam on Feb 14
NIFT had last year increased its design programme fees by 5% for non-NRI quota students and 10% for NRI quota students. A few petitioners, also the NIFT students, have asked NIFT to refund the increased fees. NIFT Entrance Exam will be held on February 14, 2021, for design admissions, and the admit cards have been made available online.
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