JNU: Fee hike cut by 50% for BPL students; curfew timing, dress code norms lifted

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has been rocked by student-led protests against draft hostel rules that include fee hike, curfew timings and dress code restrictions for students. After backlash, the 283rd Executive Council Meeting on Thursday issued a partial rollback for students from Economically Weaker Sections. In a press note released by the administration, it was informed that the Executive Council members had unanimously agreed to revise their proposals and set a new fee structure.

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Curfew timings, dress code, Mess security deposit

The curfew time proposed in the New Hostel Manual that mandated hostel residents to return to their respective hostels latest by 11.00 pm has been withdrawn. So is the clause that mandated hostel residents and guests to come to the dining hall "appropriately'' dressed. The One Time (Refundable) Mess Security deposit for all categories of students has been rolled back from Rs 12,000 to Rs 5,500.

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Rent hike slashed by 50% for BPL students

The rent for a student single room has been hiked from Rs 20 to Rs 300 (for BPL students), as against the proposed Rs 600 while the rent for a double room has gone up from Rs 10 to Rs 150 (BPL students), as against the proposed Rs 300. Newspaper charges, Mess bill, Establishment charges have not been revised. The revision excludes those who have JRF, SRF and other equivalent fellowships/Scholarships either from outside organizations or JNU.

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Appeal to end the agitation

At the end, the JNU administration called for an end to the agitation. ''The administration makes a fervent appeal to all the students of JNU to get back to their classes, lab works, and research activities as major concessions have been given to students belonging to BPL category and removed the clauses related to dress and hostel timings from the hostel manual as per the feedback from the students. Resuming academic work will protect the careers of thousands of students from any further harm.''

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