Panjab University offers relaxations in fee, student parties still unhappy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 1

The Panjab University (PU) authorities today offered relaxations in fee payment to students, which included 5 per cent fee relief across the board, payment of fee in four instalments, full waiver for differently abled students, 50 per cent relaxation for EWS and introduction of EWS seats in self-financed courses.

“We have given our best. We offered several concessions in terms of fee waiver, which also include payment of fee in four instalments, but the student parties are not ready to accept these,” said Dean Student Welfare SK Tomar.

Student protesters again misbehaved with officials, who reached out to them asking them to end the protest. “At this hour of crisis, students should help the authorities rather than sitting on protests. We have been in constant touch with them and working to meet their demands. We have come up with a solution, which will definitely help them. They should also maintain the integrity of the university,” said one of the officials, requesting anonymity.

Meanwhile, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said they would continue their protest tomorrow. “We will continue to protest till our demands are met. We will take out a rally tomorrow,” said Harish Gujjar, a member of the party.

The authorities have been trying to find a solution in favour of the students for the past one month. Various student parties, including NSUI, AISA, ASA, AISF, CYSS, PSU (L), SOI, SOPU, SFS, Y4S, INSO, PUSU, SFI, PUCSC, have been protesting and demanding relief for the students. Their demands include charging of only tuition fee and reimbursement of charges, including examination fee, and others.

The institution is already facing an estimated revenue loss of Rs80 to Rs90 crore (including one semester fee of Rs70 to Rs75 crore). However, the estimated cost savings are Rs20 to Rs30 crore from various parameters such as non-conduct of semester exam, less electricity bill and others. The net loss is approximately Rs64 crore. The university has also not received a second quarter grant, while the Punjab Government is also yet to release its promised share.

VC approves recommendations

PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Raj Kumar has approved the recommendations made by a committee on Tuesday. The matter will now be referred to the Syndicate for final approval. After adoption of fee relief for the students, the university is likely to face a loss of nearly Rs 1-1.5 crore.