Frequent power cuts at PU hit the exam-bound

Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 20

As examinations are on at Panjab University, hostellers are facing problems due to frequent power cuts. Students informed that power outage during the day can be managed but burning the midnight oil was not possible in case of a power cut.

The hostellers informed that in case of a small cut, they try and manage with flash lights of mobile phones or battery operated lights. “However, at times they are forced to look for another place to study. Ultimately, the already packed AC Joshi library and its reading rooms are the only option available,” they said.

As the summer is peaking and mercury is constantly exceeding the 40 degree Celsius mark, students are braving it all with shortage of water and electricity. An inmate of boys’ Hostel No. 2 informs, “At times I go to the library but a few days ago I had to sit in my car and study as the reading room was full and I had an exam in the morning”.

The PU authorities say that power cuts were rare on the campus. “Also, the cuts are usually of 

short duration so the problem is not a major one. However, during the exam time, the problem takes another dimension as most students prefer studying at night,” said the authorities. 

Hostel No. 5 boarders fined for high power bill  

As the latest electricity bill of the boys’ Hostel No. 5 was way higher than usual, the inmates were fined Rs 900 each as penalty. While the warden says that he rolled back the fine, copies of receipts of the bill are with the Chandigarh Tribune and hostellers inform that no such rollback took place. Warden Parveen Sharda says, “The university rules allow an imposition of such fine. However, after repeated requests of students, we rolled back the decision.” An inmate of the hostel says, “No other hostels are demanding any electricity charges, it is only being done in our hostel.”