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Journalism of Courage
College extracting money in the name of 8216;extra fees8217;, allege students
Students of Guru Nanak Girls College protested today in the college campus alleging unreasonable hike in the last installment of fees.
Fearing the news of protests would spread, the students were allegedly confined into college premises later and were not allowed to leave as the college gate was locked.
For over two hours, the college authorities tried to hush up the matter and did not let the students leave the college premises or allow those standing outside to enter the college. Many students complained they had been waiting for over an hour but the college authorities did not open the gate for them though they had to attend lectures.
Students alleged the college management has demanded extra charges in the second installment of fees on various pretexts including parking fee and library fee and various 8216;extra fees8217; to recover the costs of building of the auditorium constructed recently.
A student of BA final year, requesting anonymity, said, 8220;We were protesting against the fee hike but they locked us inside the college premises and classrooms and did not allow us to leave the premises for over an hour.8221;
She added,8221;The college used to charge Rs 360 per scooter or moped earlier but they have increased it to Rs 540 now. Apart from this, we have been asked to pay many other charges for which the only reason they have given is 8216;extra fee8217;.8221;
8220;Earlier, we knew that we were supposed to pay Rs 3,500 as the second installment of fee but now we have learnt that the second installment will be Rs 7,000. Besides, they are charging us separately for practicals,8221; complained another student of BA final year.
A female journalist of a Hindi newspaper, who entered the campus, was also rashly pushed out by the gatekeepers at the college gate.
When questioned on the whole matter, the principal of the college refused to comment while the president of the college management, Gurbir Singh, said he nobody was locked inside the college. 8220;Students were not locked inside the college and the fee that the students have been asked to pay is as per the university guidelines. The fee structure is higher than expected in some courses and the principal can give concessions on certain conditions in that case,8221; he said.
