The Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) top decision-making body recently announced a “major rollback” in the hostel fee hike. A senior official of the MHRD said that the JNU body also proposed a scheme to provide financial help to students from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

Education Secretary R Subrahmanyam tweeted, “JNU Executive Committee announces major roll-back in the hostel fee and other stipulations. Also proposes a scheme for economic assistance to the EWS students. Time to get back to classes.” 

#JNU Executive Committee announces major roll-back in the hostel fee and other stipulations. Also proposes a scheme for economic assistance to the EWS students. Time to get back to classes. @HRDMinistry

— R. Subrahmanyam (@subrahyd) November 13, 2019

After it became clear that the partial rollback was announced only for the students who are below the poverty line (BPL), JNUSU slammed the centre, calling the announcement “eyewash”. The student union said in a statement, “We reject this sham propaganda and selective usage of facts which is eyewash. The HRD secretary, while announcing the so-called rollback, has the arrogance to advise us to ‘go back to classes’. With the fee hike still in place, not only students will be going out of classes but also out of the JNU.”

Students belonging to the BPL category, who are not availing any scholarship will now be required to pay Rs. 300 instead of Rs. 600 for single rooms. For double-sharing room, they will have to pay Rs. 150 instead of Rs. 300. They will also have to pay only 50 percent of the utility charges (water and electricity) and service charges (mess charges, sanitation charges and supporting staff services).

Source: NDTV