Students of Netaji Subhash University of Technology (NSUT), Delhi, have launched an online petition demanding relaxation in fee for the academic year 2020-2021. In a notice dated July 29, the university put out a notice detailing the fee structure for the ongoing academic session. It also said that the students must pay the fee by July 31, or they would have to pay fine for late fees.
The students said in the petition, “Since the University will be conducting online classes, Tuition fee and Eco Fund are the only two components that seem legitimate. According to the University, Student Fund is charged for co-curricular activities, cultural gathering, fest, etc. Facilities and services are charged for Research initiatives, etc, Examination Fee for manpower hiring, printing cost, infrastructure strengthening and as for University fee, it is not disclosed where it is utilised.”
The students also said in the petition, “Many parents have lost their jobs, haven't been paid by their employer or their businesses have been heavily impacted since the onset of this pandemic in India. Therefore it is nearly impossible for our parents to pay this unjustified fee structure.”
They have raised two demands. They have demanded that the fee structure be immediately revised, and the deadline for submission of fees be extended. Talking to NewsClick, a student of M. Tech in the university said on the condition of anonymity, “My parents have barely had any income in the last four months. Even before the pandemic began, my family’s annual income was Rs 1.4 lakh per annum. How am I supposed to continue my education if the university implements such a draconian fee structure?”
Another student of the university told NewsClick, “The university is taking online classes. We are not utilising any of the facilities in the college. Why are we being asked to pay the student fund, facilities and services charges? And what are the components under the university fee? We have not even been given enough time to arrange the money. What will happen to the students who fail to pay the fees because of the ongoing crisis?” and added, “Why is the University ruining our future?”
In the academic year 2017-18, the annual fee for second year of B. Tech courses was Rs 1,45,000. By 2018-19, it was increased to Rs 1,65,000. And for the ongoing academic session, it is further increased to Rs 1,90,000. The fees for all courses and all years have been increased similarly, making students wonder whether they can even afford to continue pursuing their education from the university.
The petition launched by the students has been signed by 1,040 people. The university administration, however, has not made any comments regarding the matter, and has not even extended the deadline for the submission of fees.
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