Despite protests, DSW forwards mess charge hike proposal to V-C

The Dean Students' Welfare (DSW) of Panjab University called for an all-party meeting of the students, on Monday, to propose a hike in the mess charges.

DSW Amrik Singh Ahluwalia said due to the continuing rise in prices of LPG cylinders and other food items, the administration proposed an increase in the mess charges by Rs 5 to 10. The current price is Rs 25 for a regular meal and Rs 27 for a special meal.

Parties, including Students Federation of India (SFI), Students' Organisation of India (SOI), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Indian National Student Organisation (INSO) and Himachal Pradesh Students Union (HPSU), protested against the proposal, and walked out of the meeting before any final decision could be taken.

Members of SFI claimed that such an increase in the students' bills was impractical, and the proposal would not be supported by the parties. They also claimed that the DSW intended to enforce the increased charges, despite protests by students' bodies.

Ahluwalia, however, said that the proposal had been forwarded to the Panjab University vice-chancellor, and a final decision would be taken only after his approval. He added, "Keeping in mind the increased prices of commodities, an increase by Rs 10 must ideally be enforced. However, nothing has been decided yet".

Students also claimed that the University was not making any attempt to acquire subsidies from the government for students. However, Ahluwalia explained that the authorities did try to avail subsidies on cylinders, but to no avail. He added that no subsidies from the government on foodgrains were available for students.

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