NU’s meagre cooler payout makes exam centres feel the heat

Nagpur: Amid the ongoing scorching heatwave sweeping Nagpur and nearby districts, colleges functioning as examination centres under Nagpur University (NU) have raised strong objections to the varsity administration's reimbursement rates for the coolers installed at the examination venues.The latest circular issued by the university's examination and evaluation board directed centres to arrange coolers in examination halls to provide relief to students from extreme heat. However, the reimbursement fixed by the university has drawn criticism from college authorities, who termed the amount "grossly inadequate" in comparison to prevailing market rates.As per the circular, the university has approved reimbursement of 633.70, 918.54, and 1,216.70 per month depending on the size of desert coolers. College principals and management representatives have claimed that renting a single cooler in the current summer season costs over 2,000 per month, which excludes the transportation as well as the installation charges.College administrations further pointed out that the university's financial assistance does not cover additional recurring expenses such as electricity consumption, water supply and maintenance, all of which increase substantially during peak summer conditions.Several colleges expressed concern that despite soaring temperatures, institutions are being forced to shoulder a major portion of the expenses to ensure minimal comfort for students appearing for examinations in non-air-conditioned halls.Last week, the university announced that exam centres can also utilise the amount from advances given by the varsity and later submit bills but ensure that students are comfortable during exams.Nagpur and Wardha have been under intense heatwave for the last one week. The university exams are being held in the afternoon shift from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Many students have taken to social media platforms to point out lack of facilities at exam centres and the stress they have gone through while appearing in university exams.With colleges again expressing their helplessness, students are likely to suffer for the rest of their summer examinations.