Utkal University students oppose hostel fee hike

BHUBANESWAR: Students of Utkal University on Monday gheraoed the offices of registrar and PG Council chairman, protesting the increase in hostel fees. They have threatened to disrupt the admission process if the fee hike is not immediately withdrawn. Following students' resentment, the university authorities have kept the decision in abeyance for the time being.
"The revised fee was to be implemented from the coming academic session. It is for the vice-chancellor and the PG Council to decide on withdrawal of the fee hike. I have assured the students to review the hike," said PG Council chairman P K Mishra.
The university has increased hostel admission and development fee by nearly threefold, leading to resentment among the students. The hostel admission fees for first year students has been increased from Rs 2,860 to Rs 7,340 a year and the re-admission fee for second year students has gone up to Rs 7,740 from Rs 3,260. Similarly, hostel admission fee for PhD, MPhil and integrated students has been increased from Rs 7,200 to Rs 20,300 a year. Besides, the students have to pay Rs 2,000 per year as department development fee.
"The hike is arbitrary, unreasonable and unfair. We cannot afford the revised fee. The authorities should have consulted us before taking the decision," said Swagatika Rath, a postgraduate student.
Around 500 students gathered near the university administrative office around 11 am, demanding a dialogue with the registrar. Since the VC was not present, the registrar refused to oblige. It was then left to police to pacify the students. One platoon of police has been deployed on the campus to avoid any untoward incident. The agitating students have demanded resignation of the registrar.
Both the university authorities and students admitted that the hostels are in a bad shape. But the students questioned the rationale behind maintaining the hostels by charging the students more. "We are studying in a government institution. Why should we pay more for basic facilities?" asked Akruti Pani, a student. About 4,000 students are staying in 12 hostels on the university campus.
"We don't get any fund from the state government to renovate or repair the hostels. Due to fund crunch, the hostels are in very bad condition. We require at least Rs 1 crore for annual maintenance," Mishra added.