Students oppose payment of mess bills in advance

Tirupati: Post graduate and PhD students residing in hostels of the Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) are worried over a circular issued by varsity officials, asking them to pay the mess bills in advance without waiting for scholarships. 

Around 4,000 students are pursuing various courses by staying as inmates in varsity hostels. Majority of them belong to SC, ST and BC communities and from weaker sections of the society. They have no capacity to pay the mess bills in advance without government releasing scholarship amount. Earlier, the SVU authorities had been adjusting their scholarship amount for mess bills at the end of the academic year. Now, the students are forced to get money from their parents every month for paying mess bills. 

Moreover, the varsity authorities have asked students to pay their mess bills through online only. A student has to pay GST amount of Rs 50 in addition to regular mess bill every month if payment is made online.  In an academic year, student has to pay an addition of Rs 500 towards GST. Students are forced to eat breakfast and meals sitting opposite of the gym hall in unhygienic conditions.

A month ago, varsity officials have called for tenders to renovate hostel mess buildings. As part of renovation, inside roof and flooring of hostel mess buildings were demolished. But the contractors did not complete the work. Officials assured the students to complete the mess renovation works in a week. Students were surprised as hostel authorities were collecting Rs 650 per month towards establishment and electrical charges. 

Responding on collection of establishment charges, S Akbar, a PG student of the SVU told that officials are collecting very high amount from them in the name of meeting the establishment expenditure. But in other universities establishment charges are below Rs 400. Students are demanding that the government should reduce establishment charges to Rs 300. 

Speaking to The Hans India, SFI district president N Madhav Krishna said a memorandum was submitted to SVU in-charge Vice-Chancellor G Janakiramaiah, requesting him to prevail upon the authorities from collecting mess bills in advance. “Our main demand is to drop the advance payment of mess bills without scholarship adjustment and cancel the online payment mode for paying mess bills,” he added.