Journalism of Courage
The confusion over the course structure of Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM) is growing by the day. A recent Bombay High Court order stated it was a full-time course whereas the University of Pune (UoP) maintained that it is part-time.
The course came to limelight after students of Dina Institute of Business and Hotel Management,Undri moved the high court alleging that the institute has been conducting a full-time course against the UoP directives and overcharging them.
Responding to a petition from Dina student Prashant Kumar,the court said,on January 21,PGDGM is a full-time course as per a government resolution dated April 1,2009. The order also said the resolution was withdrawn on July 1,2009,but the original GR stands as it had set aside this decision.
Even as Kumar has decided to file a writ petition in the high court challenging the order,UoP acting vice-chancellor Arun Adsool said,As per the academic council of UoP,PGDBM has always been and is still a part-time course.
While the Dina management is banking on the high court order,the students are pinning their hopes on the university. It all began in February 2009,when Kumar along with 16 other students of Dina Institutes 2007-09 batch of the PGDBM course filed a petition with the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court at Shivajinagar. The institute has been charging Rs 3 to 5 lakh fees for the two-year PGDBM course,even as the University of Pune has recommended not more than Rs 24,000 for it, said Tara Chand,a student.
Dinas managing director Inderjot Oberoi clarified that the Shikshan Shulka Samiti had certified a Rs 1.82-lakh fees for the course. The difference between the fees charged and the certified fee,that comes to Rs 7 lakh for 17 students of 2007-09 batch,has already been deposited with the Bombay High Court.
The students,however,are not satisfied. They had written to Pune police commissioner,seeking the arrest of the institutes panel members.
