Canteen price hike: UoP students up in arms

The varsity had recently hiked the rates of all food items in all four canteens on campus. “When the canteens are subsidised and the varsity is paying the contractors for that,the canteen contractors should provide the food items as per the subsidised rates. Many students are from rural background and do not get enough pocket money. Some of them work while studying. However,not all students are earning,” said a student.

After the students’ march on Monday,the varsity has decided to conduct a meeting on the issue on Friday. “We have submitted a memorandum of demands to the vice chancellor and hope he will intervene in the issue,” said another student.

When contacted,catering manager of the UoP Balasaheb Tribhuvan said the charges were hiked as per the hike in prices of vegetables.

“The varsity has hiked the charges in March. However,after the demand of students we revised the price of rice plate given in refectory and messes of three hostels from Rs 22 to Rs 20 as it was earlier,” he said.

He also said the rates of food items in canteens were fixed after comparing rates in other varsities such as Mumbai,Kolhapur and Solapur.

“With students demanding these rates to be revised we have arranged a meeting on August 6 to take a final call on the issue,” he said.