JNU Partially Rolls Back Hostel Fee Hike After Massive Protests, Students Refuse to Call Off Agitation
Following massive protests by students, the administration of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Wednesday announced to roll back a proposed hike in the hostel fee.
New Delhi, November 13: Following massive protests by students, the administration of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Wednesday partially rolled back a proposed hike in the hostel fee. The JNU administration also proposed a scheme for economic assistance to students from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). The JNU had massively hiked the hostel, mess and security fee by a reported 400 percent. It also limited the hostel timings. JNU Students Protest Outside Inter Hostel Administration, Block Ambulance Carrying Professor Umesh Kadam Over Hostel Fee (Watch Video).
"Executive Committee announces major rollback in the hostel fee and other stipulations. Also proposes a scheme for economic assistance to the EWS students. Time to get back to classes," R. Subrahmanyam, Union Education Secretary, tweeted on Wednesday. The Jawaharlal Nehru Students' Union (JNUSU), however, reportedly refused to call off the agitation even as the varsity's move comes as a huge success for the agitating students. JNUSU Cancels Protest on Jammu and Kashmir Because of Shehla Rashid's Presence.
While the JNU administration reduced hike proposed in rent for single or double seater rooms, it kept security deposit for mess and utility charges unchanged. According to sources, the room rent which was raised to Rs 600 from Rs 20 for single occupancy will now be Rs 200. Similarly, for double occupancy, the rent was hiked from Rs 10 to Rs 300. The amount will now be Rs 100.
JNU New Fee Structure:
| Rent For | Old Fee | Earlier Announced Fee | New Fee |
| Single room seater | Rs 20 | Rs 600 | Rs 200 |
| Double room seater | Rs 10 | Rs 300 | Rs 100 |
| Security deposit for mess | Rs 0 | Rs 5,500 | Rs 5,500 |
| Utility charges | Rs 0 | Rs 1700 | Rs 1700 |
Earlier today, the students, agitating against fee hike and other changes proposed in the hostel manual, laid virtual siege to the Convention Centre where the JNU Executive Council was to meet, forcing the administration to change the venue to some undisclosed place. The Executive Council is the highest decision-making body of the JNU.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 13, 2019 04:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).