The Madras High Court bench here today directed UGC and two others to fix uniform price for applications and prospectus sold by self-financing colleges, Deemed Universities and Institutes offering self-financing courses in Tamil Nadu.

Admitting a PIL, a Division Bench, comprising Justice Dharma Rao Elipe and Justice K.B.K.Vasuki, also directed the All India Council for Technical Education and Tamil Nadu Secretary for Higher Education to consider the plea within four weeks.

The Petitioner, J Venkata Sundram, submitted though the government had fixed the fees for Medical,Engineering and Paramedical courses,there was problem with regard to the cost of applications and prespectus which ranged from Rs.500 to Rs.2000.

"Fancy prices are being fixed for them.The amount collected from the student is not refunded if he is not selected and unlimited forms are being sold.Deemed universities fix the rate of forms, entrance exam ...," petitioner contended

He alleged universities that conducted B.Ed(Bachelor of Education)programme under self-financing scheme,in 2010-11,had sold 7500 applications and had collected Rs.37.50 lakh.

The applications,sold for Rs.500,would cost rs.150 only, petitioner contended. The Union HRD,and Union Health and family welfare departments should fix uniform price for applications of all Institutes,Universities recognised by them.

"Our records have been sealed and we cannot take any legal remedy. We can't reply to the notices issued by the court," Kadiyan said.

The unions had gone on a flash strike protesting against a 'gag order' on members for talking to the media after Saturday's air crash in Mangalore and 'delay' in payment of salaries. The management, however, clarified there is only one general circular and that there was no 'gag order".

The strike was called off yesterday after the Delhi High Court restrained the agitating employees from continuing the stir and the government talked tough giving a free hand to the management to deal with them.