Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) found itself embroiled in yet another controversy after some of the students residing in the Sutlej Hostel complained that they were denied food by the hostel mess after they were unable to pay their dues. The mess has reportedly stopped the supply of food for over 200 students.
According to reports, the students have claimed that the reason why they unable to pay their fees is because they have not received their fellowship grants as yet. Reports suggest that the students have been given time till April 30 after they staged a protest against the action taken by the hostels. Apparently, MPhil scholars are expected to receive Rs 5,000 and PhD scholars are supposed to receive Rs 8,000. Meanwhile, students eligible for their Merit-Cum-Means scholarship who respectively come from a poor financial background should receive fellowship money of Rs 10,000 per semester for BA and MA from January 2017.
Out of the total 348 residents, food was denied to as many as 227, Times of India reported. “You are once again directed to clear your outstanding dues latest by April 3, failing which food will be stopped strictly from April 4 morning without any further notice,” the notice that was signed by the hostel warden read as.
The deadline was however, extended to April 6. The daily reported that after the mess stopped the supply of food, the students staged a protest by boycotting the mess food. Some of them even went on to take the utensils and reached the Dean’s office. Students further said the deadline which has now been extended to April 30 can only be met if the students receive their fellowship money adding that it was the university’s responsibility to make sure the students get their scholarship.
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