Fee hike: Some relief for Panjab University students

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 21

Giving relaxation to students, Panjab University today decided to decrease the proposed maximum increase in fee from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,200 for all courses. The decision was taken at a Syndicate meeting today, held under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover.

According to the new proposed fee structure, there will be a minimum increase of Rs 500 and a maximum increase of Rs 1,200 for all courses being run by the university and its regional centres for the 2015-16 session.

Syndicate members said a nominal hike in the fee was essential. However, keeping in view the sentiments of students, the maximum increase had been restricted to Rs 1,200 against the earlier proposed Rs 1,500.

At the meeting, the authorities tabled a proposal for a 5 per cent fee hike, which was recommended by the fee committee for the 2015-16 session. According to the proposal, the minimum increase was supposed to be Rs 500 and the maximum Rs 1,500. Besides, Rs 30 was to be charged for the wi-fi facility from the university students.

Before the Syndicate meeting, the students’ council submitted a memorandum to the members, seeking withdrawal of the fee hike proposal.

An official said with the proposed fee hike, the university was expected to get an additional revenue of around Rs.1.6 crore. Of this amount, the university authorities planned to spend Rs 75 to Rs 80 lakh on providing scholarships and free education to poor students.

The proposal will be sent to the Senate for approval so that it can be implemented from the next academic session.

Recently, an open house was organised by all student parties in which the fee hike was opposed. A memorandum in this regard was submitted to the Board of Finance for consideration.