Patna University students on Tuesday rejected the partial slashing of fees of postgraduate courses by the institution and sought a rollback of the hike effected in May.

Several students’ unions, including All India Students’ Association and All India Students’ Federation, rejected the university’s decision to slash the fees, increased in Many, and said “a nominal fees slash will not do”.

“We will not accept a partial rollback in the fees of the postgraduate courses (at Patna University). We want total rollback,” Sushil Kumar, a member of AISF, told The Telegraph.

Madhukar Pathak, an AISA member, also demanded a complete rollback. “The university should be a non-profit institution meant for students from all sections of society. Increasing the fees by two to three times is bound to affect students, particularly those who come from humble background. Such drastic changes in the fees structures are actually aimed at privatisation of the university,” Pathaka said.

Patna University vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh said: “We have received some objections from students’ unions. They have complained about some discrepancies in the proposed fees structure, which can be slashed down.”

He, however, refused to comment on the possible rollback quantum. Sources in the university, however, ruled out the possibility of a complete rollback.

On Monday, the university had proposed to slash the fees, which were hiked in May, this year, sources said. The sources said the percentage of the reduction in fees could be between 20 and 30 per cent.

The university, which has decided to start a semester system from the new academic session, had in May proposed to double the fees of various postgraduate courses. In fact, in some of the subjects, the university proposed to increase the fees by up to three times.

For example, a postgraduate student has to pay Rs 5,050 in the first year in practical subjects that have practical papers (physics, chemistry, botany, zoology and geology). At present, one has to pay Rs 1,995. Similarly, in non-practical science subjects (mathematics), the proposed fee is Rs 4,350 as against the existing amount of Rs 1,577.

A member of committee constituted for rationalisation of the proposed fees said: “The committee is working to slash the proposed fees structure in postgraduate courses up to 20 or 30 per cent. The final decision will be taken by the university administration.”

Patna University proctor Kriteshwar Prasad said: “The committee, which was constituted for rationalisation of the fees structure, was scheduled to meet today (Tuesday). The meeting could not be held because because of the agitation by AISA members at the entrance gate of the university.”