Central varsity students divided over Internet, magazine fee

By R.Ravikanth Reddy

HYDERABAD, AUG. 27. Internet as a medium is uniting people across the globe. But it seems to have divided the students in the University of Hyderabad. Some groups of students are up in arms against the University authorities protesting against the introduction of Internet fee from this academic year.

The University has introduced a fee of Rs. 200 per semester for research scholars and Rs. 150 for post-graduate students for providing Internet facility at the University library from this academic year. However, this has led to a controversy with some groups of students, predominantly from the arts and social sciences stream criticising that the fee was not only abnormal but also unnecessary.

Students opposing the Internet fee have come under the banner of the University Discussion Forum and have protested through representations to the officials. "We want unconditional withdrawal of the Internet fee as it makes no sense. Majority students do not use the facility and it's serving the purpose of only a section of the students," says a research scholar.

Their argument is that only management and MCA students utilise the facility and there is hardly anyone from language and social science streams using it. "Why should we pay and that too so much for a facility we don't use," they argue. To put across their point, the students have decided to boycott classes on Tuesday and also go on a hunger strike.

However, the University argues that most of the students are in favour of the Internet fee as it would be of immense help to them. The University Registrar, Prof. T.R. Vigg, says that a committee was formed to look into the representations of students and it has recommended reduction by Rs. 50 which is being implemented.

Another issue that has virtually divided the students is the magazine fee. The University collects Rs. 170 from each of the 2,300 students for bringing out the students magazine every year. But students say this money is never utilised for the required purpose but spent on other programmes. To support their argument these students say only three issues have been brought out in the 25-year history of the University. "They spend this money on rock shows which are attended by not even 10 per cent of the total students. Its total misutilisation of students' funds", they argue.

But one hike everyone seems to be agreeing is the premium of medical insurance. The University enhanced the premium amount to Rs. 200 from the existing Rs. 100. However, they want it to be collected in two instalments.

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Section  : Southern States
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