Sambalpur, Aug. 17: Students of Gangadhar Meher University today boycotted classes and staged an agitation, demanding immediate reduction in hostel admission fees.
Besides, they were also demanding enhancement of security on the campus and installation of closed-circuit television cameras at the entry points of the varsity.
The students withdrew their protest after the varsity authorities assured them of looking into their demands.
A student said the admission fee in the university hostels was higher compared to the facilities in other varsities across the state. "While the admission fee in the girls' hostel is Rs 8,500 per annum, the university authorities are charging Rs 9,000 for a year for admission into the boys' hostel. The admission fee of other varsities in the state are comparatively low," said students' union president Milan Hota.
"The Sambalpur University charges Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,400 for girls and boys, respectively. The Berhampur University charges Rs 3,700 for boys and Rs 4,000 for girls. Students are paying a huge sum of money for their hostel admission here. We want the authorities to reduce the fees," Hota said.
"Security is a major concern for the students. Outsiders frequently visit the campus. Reports of eve-teasing have also increased. If a police outpost is set up and CCTV cameras are installed, such activities could be checked to a great extent," said a student.
University registrar Smita Devi went to the agitation spot to discuss the issues with the students, but the talks failed. Later, another meeting between the students and the authorities took place. Officer on special duty of the varsity S.S Rath, along with the registrar and deputy registrar U.C. Pati, attended the meeting.
"A sub-committee will be formed to check the income and expenditure of the past one year of all hostels. If we find a scope to reduce the hostel admission fees, steps will certainly be taken in that regard," said Pati.
"We are taking steps to increase patrolling on the campus during the evening hours. A decision has also been taken to install CCTV cameras in the institution at the earliest," Pati said.
