Engineering students protest against M Tech fee hike

“MHRD has decided to impose a 900% hike on M Tech programs across all IITs. Engineering students all around India are coming to Delhi to protest against governments decision. We have decided to protest at JANTAR MANTAR on 4th October from 11 am. #mtechfeeshike #engineersatjantar,” tweeted All India Engineering Student Council. 

MHRD has decided to impose a 900% hike on M Tech programs across all IITs. Engineering students all around India are coming to Delhi to protest against governments decision. We have decided to protest at JANTAR MANTAR on 4th October from 11 am. #mtechfeeshike #engineersatjantar

— All India Engineering Student Council (@AllIndiaEngine1) October 3, 2019

We demand a complete centralised structure for this process where the less privileged(those securing lower ranks) should not be deprived of any opportunity and by doing this seats of M Tech will be filled to a considerably larger number.

— All India Engineering Student Council (@AllIndiaEngine1) October 3, 2019

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The MHRD, in a recent statement, clarified that the decision was taken to deter students who discontinue the course mid-way.

“The fees for M.Tech programmes at IITs has not been revised for many years and are to be increased, particularly to deter students who discontinue the course mid-way,” read the IIT-Madras statement.

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However, the students said that the course fee, which was around Rs 30,000 to 50,000, will now gradually raise to Rs 2 lakh. “The decision was against the right of the students who want to study. Is the central government wants to keep M.Tech programmes only for the elite students,” said Umesh Dhande, Director of GATE academy, Bhilai, Chattisgarh.

“Around 3,000 engineering students from all around India are coming to Delhi to protest against governments decisions. The sit-in demonstration will be held at Jantar Mantar on October 4 from 11 am,” said the Director.

PSU interview goes on even after admission process of IITs are over. Due to this lack in coordination among these two government bodies those who have secured good rank and get call from both prefer to lock their seats in IITs in case they don’t get placed in any PSUs.

— All India Engineering Student Council (@AllIndiaEngine1) October 3, 2019

Akash Yadav, a GATE aspirant student said, “The way MHRD is held responsible the discontinuing students for the fee hike is not justified. The students left the course mid-way because the public sector units (PSUs) announced the recruitment results in between August to September. So lots of students who got into the PSUs left the course.”

“Who wants to leave jobs of around Rs 15 to 20 lakh,” the student argued.

Another student, Asthana Goel said, “Apart from the fee hike, the MHRD has stopped granting stipend to the students. Earlier, the students were given around Rs 7,000 to 8,000 per month, and they pay the course fee with their stipend only.” But the recent decision will restrict lots of students as it will go against the Modi government’s agenda of “Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas.”

Extremely disappointed by the decision for a 900% fee hike for MTech and removing stipend. In this way, you discourage students to go for higher education. Pathetic. Not acceptable. @HRDMinistry @DrRPNishank @PMOIndia @RahulGandhi @ShashiTharoor @ArvindKejriwal #mtechfeehike

— Ankit Soni (@Ankit_Soni_009) September 28, 2019

Over 66,000 students have signed the petition doing rounds on social sites demanding the withdraw of the fee hike. Several students have also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to roll back the decision.

“@narendramodi, @HRDMinistry, @PMOIndia, @DrRPNishank I am really shocked that 900% increment in M.Tech fees in IIT will take place. This will definitely deteriorate quality of education and will seriously affect mindsets of GATE aspirant. Plz think over it again,” tweeted the GATE academy director Umesh Dhande.