The Mumbai University’s decision to increase fees for post graduate courses offered by the varsity and its affiliated colleges has not gone down well with many students. The members of Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS), the students’ union of MNS, held a protest on Saturday and demanded immediate rollback of the fee hike. Around 150 students of the MNVS gathered at the Fort campus of the Mumbai University and shouted slogans against the sudden fee hike that has left students in a lurch.

In February 2009, the Academic Council and the Management Council of the University had approved the decision to hike fees for both aided and unaided PG courses like M.A. M.Com, M. Sc and PhD in science and commerce for the academic year 2009-10. According to the proposal, fees of these PG courses could be increased anywhere between 50 per cent and 200 per cent.

However, colleges and students were unaware of the decision and the circular regarding the revised fee structure was sent to colleges only on October 6 this year. The colleges then asked students to pay the difference by the end of October.

“Firstly, it is unfair to increase fees in such an arbitrary manner. Secondly, students were not aware of the increased fee structure at the time of admission in June this year. How can they pay the additional amount in mid-term at such a short notice?” said Gajanan Kale, General Secretary, MNVS.

Following the protests, K Venkatramani, registrar of MU, issued a stay on the decision. “We have put a temporary stay on the matter. A final decision will be taken after deliberations by the academic and management councils,” Venkatramani said.

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