Touts sell med seat in pvt colleges at Rs 80L-Rs 1 cr

Mangaluru: With less than than two months left for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-2020 (NEET), the phones of aspiring students in the undivided Dakshina Kannada are buzzing with calls from touts.
The touts, the parents say, claim to procure seats for their wards at select private colleges and the price starts from a minimum of Rs 80 lakh and goes up to Rs 1 crore.
Speaking to TOI, parents said they were shocked to hear the fee. “We are struggling financially due to pandemic, but they are making a killing even before NEET exams. What is the point of the examination when seats are available in a free market,” asked a parent.
As a matter of fact, an eligible candidate can earn an MBBS degree in a five-year medical course at a top private medical college in coastal districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada with less than Rs 65 lakh (course fee for 2020-2021 batch).
When this reporter disguised as a parent of NEET aspirant spoke to one of the touts, staff of a Mangaluru-based consultancy said they can get a NEET seat provided the candidate appears for the examination. “The seat will cost you a total Rs 80 lakh and we can get you admissions in medical colleges situated in Derlakatte, Kuntikana, and Mukka in Mangaluru. The seat is guaranteed if you pay the said amount and some discount can be made by offering scholarships and other deals. We will guide how to make the process once NEET results are out,” explained the tout to TOI.
When asked how it is possible to pre-book a seat and guarantee admission even before the examination results are out, the tout said, “We have an understanding with private colleges. One has to pay an advance of Rs 1 to Rs 2 lakh soon after the NEET results.”
‘Don’t fall prey to fraudsters’
A source pointed out that most of these touts are fraudsters, who con candidates and parents. “Some of the colleges are yet to release their 2020-21 fee details. It is best to ignore these touts or else one will end up losing money,” source cautioned.
“The entire admission process for UG/PG admissions starts under the watch of government and there is no question about touts offering seats. Over the years, we have seen a lot of parents coming to us crying after losing money to these fraudsters. It is advisable not to entertain them,” said the pro-chancellor of a deemed to be university