The students demand withdrawal of the additional ‘fees to be deposited to the Government Account’ imposed on students, who are reeling under financial hardship due to Covid-19 pandemic. The colleges levy Rs 1,341 for science and 1,170 for arts and commerce students under this head
TFM News Service
Students, who had been protesting by locking colleges under Manipur University since September 12 against admission fee hike, stormed the Directorate of University & Higher Education office. They decided not to withdraw the agitation after the department said it cannot roll back the hike without taking the chief minister in the loop.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Secretary (Higher & Tech. Education) informed the Director (University & Higher Education), Manipur that the proposal for approval of the Fee Structure for admission to B.A/B.Sc/B.Com/LLB courses for the Academic Session 2021-22 in Government and Government Aided Colleges of Manipur including request for exemption of Fee component of Games (Sports) and Cultural were processed in AD files and referred to Finance Department for their kind consideration.
He directed the director to proceed with the admission of the B.A/B.Sc/B.Com/LLB courses with the Fee Structure proposed for admission fee for the current academic year (2021-22) without exemption of Fee component proposed to be waived off. Refund of fee component will be initiated subject to approval of competent authority.
According to sources, students from different colleges under Manipur University converged on the Directorate of University & Higher Education office at Nityaibat Chuthek in Imphal. They tried to lock the gate of the office. However, heavy police force already deployed there blocked them and thwarted their attempt.
Imphal College Students’ Union general secretary Oinam Premdash Khuman said the colleges under Manipur University charged additional fees to be deposited to the Government Account from this year. The colleges levy Rs 1,341 from science students and 1,170 from arts and commerce students under this head. The students have been demanding withdrawal of the additional fees imposed on students who are reeling under financial hardship due to Covid-19 pandemic.
After the authorities concerned did not pay any heed to the demand, the students imposed a total shut down in campuses. Stating that their demand for withdrawal of additional fees is falling to deaf ears, Premdash said the students resorted to locking the Directorate of University & Higher Education office.
He further said they will oppose tooth and nail government policy to suck blood of students. The government giving another blow to students who have been ravaged by COVID-19 financially and mentally is a huge setback, he questioned, “How can a leader, who cannot read the pulse of students, be at the helm?”
Three student representatives met the Directorate of University & Higher Education Joint director and urged him to withdraw an additional fee of Rs 1,341 charged on the science students and Rs 1,170 on arts and commerce students under “Fees to be deposited to the Government Account” head.
However, the joint director said the tuition fee of Rs 996 for science, arts, commerce and LLB will be waived for students with income certificate. However, the department cannot withdraw Fees to be deposited to the Government Account, he said. As it was the decision of the Finance Department, a discussion with the Chief Minister will be required, he added.