JNUSU demands immediate release of Rs 50L of pending merit-cum-means scholarships

New Delhi, November 21

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union on Wednesday criticised the delay in disbursal of pending merit-cum-means scholarships to graduate and post-graduate students for eight months and demanded its immediate release.

“Students’ exams nearing and the need to pay mess bills make it impossible for them to meet their daily expenses if this outstanding money is not released immediately,” it said. 

It also opposed the proposed closure of shut down of small eateries on campus alleging the university passed a proposal to shut down small dhabas on the campus to make way to establish food courts.

“Rather than being sensitive and releasing scholarship amount, administration has launched a spree of privatisation and corporatisation measures in campus by selling public spaces, closing down of dabhas and library,” said the JNUSU.

The JNU Executive Council (EC) in its meeting on Tuesday decided to temporarily close one of the reading rooms in the main library building to improve fire safety measures while other facilities will continue to be available going by the varsity. 

In response to the growing demands from the students for availability of clean and hygienic food and also creating good ambience on the campus, the EC has decided to explore the feasibility to establish food courts at suitable locations for the convenience of the students coming from different corners of the country, the varsity noted.

JNUSU has asked for a detailed and transparent account sheet from the administration   before closing down dabhas and library facilities to students on pretext of hygiene and issues of safety. — TNS