KHARAGPUR: Research scholars of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur partially halted their protests against fee hike -- that started on December 20 -- on Friday after the dean of the institute sent recommendations of reduction of a nominal amount from the total semester fee structure, to the director.
However, the students vow to continue with the movement and have accordingly formed a committee of 20 students to spearhead the movement till complete rollback is announced.
"At least we have brought them to the negotiations table. Though they have tried to
give us some respite by proposing to reduce Rs 4,200 in all -- Rs 2,700 from the total semester fees of Rs 37,000 and Rs 1,500 from mess charges -- but major issues are yet to be discussed. Also, we fear that the Rs 1,500 proposed reduction of mess charges may be imposed on us in other ways. We can't be completely sure until we see the next semester fee structure. Hence, the movement will continue," said Anupam Banerjee, a member of the 20 student core committee that would speak with the authorities from now on. However, the students have not got any official circular stating the reduction of fees.
The students are in constant contact with students of other IITs. "If similar hike is announced in other IITs, we have to forge a united agitation," Anupam added.
Also, not all are satisfied with the documents provided by the authorities to the students and say there are many gaps in the break up of the amount charged.
"Why should we pay for the trips of the Hostel Management Committee (HMC) contractual staffers to Andaman and Nicobar Islands? Anyways, the fee they over charge for hostel facilities they provide. We are against the prevailing graft in the HMC and not against the IIT as a whole. We demand complete transparency in the functioning of the HMC. The accounts they have provided us have major loopholes and 'invisible charges' which we are protesting against," said Ayan Ghosh, a protesting student.
Many of the research scholars have to look after their families and send some money home and the hike in fees has affected them the most. "With the hiked fees, I have very less money to support the education of my younger siblings," said Raj Prasad, a student from Bihar.
"We will get the authorities' decision only when the link to semester fees and mess charges open on Monday. If our demands are not met and rollback not announced, the movement will continue," said student agitator Partho.