Fee related matter of JNU sorted out, continuation of agitation by students not justified : ‘Nishank’

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The fee related matter of JNU has been sorted out following several rounds of discussions with representatives of JNU students and teachers. The Ministry of Human Resource Development under the guidance of Union HRD Minister  Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ took the lead by setting up a High Powered Committee (HPC) after the representatives of agitating JNU students met him and he assured them to look into the matter.

The High Powered Committee (HPC) was appointed to restore the normal functioning of JNU through dialogue with all stakeholders and to advise the university administration for resolution of contentious issues.

Taking into consideration the spirit of recommendations of the HPC various meetings were held by Secretary HRD with representatives of students/teachers and JNU administration on December 10 & 11, 2019, and certain mutually agreeable agreements were arrived at. In pursuance of the same, and after rounds of discussions, the JNU has issued a statement that the students are not being asked to bear the cost of service and utility charges proposed for the winter session which was their basic demand. As agreed in the meeting of  December 10 & 11, 2019, the revised hostel room charges, however, will remain applicable with 50% concession for BPL students.

Therefore, the JNU fee hike issue stands resolved since this was the main demand of the students. Till now more than five thousand students have already registered for the winter season, according to a PIB release.

The Ministry as well as the Union HRD Minister have time and again appealed to the students to call off their agitation since their key demand has been met with. HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has said the main demand related to increase in service and utility charges and other related issues have now been settled and continuation of agitation by the students is no longer justified. He also appealed that institutions of higher education should not be converted into a political arena.