JNU’s 100 % mess fee hike upsets students, move termed obnoxious

Under the Mess Admission Dues category, the refundable mess security has been increased to Rs 4,500 from the earlier Rs 2,700, while the establishment charges per semester will be Rs 1,100 from Rs 550.

jnu fee hike, jnu mess fee hike, jnu students, JNUSU

A circular was issued notifying about revision of charges of mess admission dues, guest and guest meal charges, fine for late payment and charges for extra items.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) new controversial move has shocked students after it released a circular informing about 100 per cent increase in its mess rates. On February 27, the office of Dean of Students had issued a circular notifying about revision of charges of mess admission dues, guest and guest meal charges, fine for late payment and charges for extra items. The new rule is applicable retrospectively from January 1, it said.

New rates

“Under the Mess Admission Dues category, the refundable mess security has been increased to Rs 4,500 from the earlier Rs 2,700, while the establishment charges per semester will be Rs 1,100 from Rs 550. Annual crockery/utensils charges have been increased from Rs 50 to Rs 200. Newspaper (annual) was revised from Rs 15 to Rs 50,” said the circular.

Late payment of mess bill witnessed the highest jump i.e. 20 times from Re 1 per day to Rs 20 per day. Dean of Students Umesh Kadam was unavailable for comments. Student and former JNUSU general secretary Satarupa Chakraborty said, “An obnoxious circular is being issued by the JNU administration with retrospective effect. I am shocked that this administration is not leaving a single stone unturned to attack the livelihood of students. A university which was a place for students, particularly for the deprived sections, is becoming a place for subsequent alienation of thousands of students”.

Dean justifies the act

Dean of Students Umesh Kadam justified the move and said today that the revision came after a gap of 15-2o years and that the decision was taken with the assent of all stakeholders. “It has been passed in the Inter-Hall Administration Meeting. It has gone through all proper procedures. All hostel presidents and JNUSU office-bearers are members of the meeting,” Kadam told PTI, adding that the meeting held on January 17 this year lasted for four to five hours.

However, one of presidents of the hostels refuted his claims and said “it is a breach of trust” and no such decision was taken.