Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Dearth of hostels trouble students, stage protest supporting their demands

PS Bali
Jammu September 27
Owing to the dearth of student hostel in the Jammu University, students from various departments, under the banner of Students Scholars Union JU, today staged a protest in the University campus.
Protestors demanded more construction of hostels, separately for boys and girls for their convenience. Students alleged that the university authorities are making tall claims of improvement in the University infrastructure.
“On one side the students from far flung areas are facing inconvenience due to unavailability of accommodation in the university campus, whereas on the same side University authorities are wasting money on their personal chambers,” said Sunil, president student scholar union, adding that the boys can manage accommodation, but the girls have to confront lot of troubles due to less number of hostel and rooms.
He said that the administration is discriminating, they are enjoying over the funds accumulated from the fees of students, they have every  facility at their rescue whereas students suffer a lot.
The Jammu University has currently running with six student hostels, three each for boys and girls but the condition of the hostels is not worth living. Students alleged that in certain rooms, more than four students have to adjust which makes havoc for them.
“There are three girl hostels but the number of aspirants is much more, authorities fetch same fees from all students, but they put late comers with some influence as a burden on already accommodated students, which affects their studies and comfort,” said a student, Mehwish from Poonch, adding that the University authorities are less interested in developing better and comfortable hostel facility for students.
From the very start of the session students from various departments start applying for the hostels, which they know if delayed will loose it. The competition of getting hostel room is harder than the entrance in the University.
The students also alleged university for entertaining blue-eyed students in hostel and for not improving facilities in the hostels.
“Rooms in the hostel are easily available for the influential and inmates of university authorities. The rooms in the hostels lacks basic facilities, there is no cooling system in the hostels where students spent most of their time, whereas chambers of the officials are well maintained where they only stay for few hours,” said a student, Tsensan from Leh.
Besides, hostel facility students also rued that despite of being higher institute of education it lacks wi-fi system in hostels, which is much needed for the students.
The students also said that they will launch massive protests in streaks if their demands were not met on time.
When contacted Provost Jammu University, Prof BL Sharma said that the administration is all set to open new hostel in the coming month. We are giving every possible facility to the students but if they are asking for Air Conditioner that’s not possible, they are here to study  not to enjoy comforts.
“Administration is always ready to accommodate students and we are providing shelter to every student who approaches us. There is capacity of around 350 students in boys hostel and the new infrastructure also has the capacity of around 60-70 students,” said Sharma.