Panjab University senate approves 5% fee hike, students continue protest

In spite of sustained student protests, Panjab University senate on Sunday approved 5% fee hike for all courses of university departments and its regional centres on Sunday.

The decision means that from the new academic session starting July, the tuition fee will see a minimum increase of Rs 500 and a maximum increase of Rs 1200 depending on the course.

PU vice-chancellor Arun Kumar Grover justified the fee hike stating that 5% fee hike was nominal.

“This is just a little increase in the fees. We have already set up a think tank to look into the financial conditions of the varsity. We have been sending the outputs of think tank to MHRD and other stake holders including Punjab government,” he added.

Senator Varinder Gill highlighted in the meeting that students have been on hunger strike against the decision, but the V-C remained unruffled.

The V-C added, “We should be able to financially support all students willing to study on our campus. We have decided that the students whose parents’ earning is less than Rs 5 lakh instead of Rs 2.5 lakh can seek financial support. We will also strengthen our Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes cell.”

The V-C also proposed a committee to suggest ways in which the cash prizes awarded by the university could be increased.

“Cash prizes of Rs 300 and Rs 500 don’t look nice. These are not the amounts to be given. We should create some money. We can probably utilise the part of income that will come out of enhancement of fees, in this regard.”

Additional solicitor general of India in the Punjab and Haryana high court Satya Pal Jain said, “I strongly feel that there should be a different fee structure for EWS students. ”

President of Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) Jasmeen Kang said, “We are satisfied that at least the senate addressed the matters taken up by me with the vice-chancellor and dean student welfare in the last meeting.”