Around 100 students of Maharaja College, Yuvaraja College and Post Graduate Departments, University of Mysore, protested in front of Deputy Commissioner’s office here this morning demanding for facilities to the students residing in Varsity hostels.
The protestors alleged that the University was not providing food to the students despite hostels being reopened a month ago. They also alleged the University had hiked the hostel admission fees for both general category and SC/ST students.
Students also alleged that University Vice-Chancellor and Student Welfare Officer were not responding to the complaints and hence the matter was being brought to the notice of DC and presented a memorandum in this regard.
The members of All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) yesterday staged a protest in front of Crawford Hall demanding Mess facility at the hostels run by the University of Mysore which have not been opened even after a month of the colleges re-opening.
Urging the authorities to take steps to open Mess facilities at hostels, the protesters said that there were more than 3,000 students in various hostels like Maharaja, Gouthama, Ambedkar, Village Hostel and PG hostels and were facing lot of difficulties mainly because all of them were from rural backgrounds besides being poor.
It is reported, many students, who could not afford to pay exorbitant rates for food at hotels are travelling to their homes by buses skipping classes.
Some students alleged that the hike of hostel fee for General Category students from Rs.4,000 to Rs.5,500 and for SC/ST students from Rs. 650 to Rs.1,500 had resulted in many poor students unable to seek admission to hostels.
The protestors refused to budge even after Student Welfare Officer of the University Nirmalraj said that each student would be paid Rs.30 per day.
The protest was withdrawn after Registrar Basavaraj, who arrived at the spot and assured that the mess facility would be started soon besides announcing that each student would be paid Rs. 1,050 per month for food.
Adivasis’ rally
Hundreds of tribals, under the banner of Karnataka Adivasi Rakshana Parishat yesterday took out a mammoth rally in city seeking issuance of title deeds and forest rights to them among others. The procession marking the 19th International Tribals Day, which began at Town Hall premises passed through Clock Tower, Gandhi Square, Dufferin Clock Tower and Devaraja Urs Road to reach the office of the Deputy Commissioner where they staged a protest.
In a memorandum submitted to the DC, they said the Government needs to introspect on the measures taken to solve the problems of tribals as the deadline set by the United Nations will come to an end in a year. They also demanded construction of Adivasi Bhavans at District and Taluk headquarters, a separate Commission and a Ministry for STs, an Adivasi University and valuation of all programmes implemented for tribals.
Their other demands include issuance of title deeds for Dungrigarasi tribals living in Survey Number 201 of Mahadevapura Layout in Mysore and basic amenities in the area, land for graveyards in all tribal settlements, clearing of encroachments on the land identified for the rehabilitation of tribals in Udbur colony and Seeguru in H.D.Kote, Police protection to tribal fishermen operating in Kabini dam and a blanket ban on illegal sale of liquor in tribal haadis.
Meanwhile, the DC is reported to have assured the protesters that she would initiate talks with officials and representatives of tribals after the completion of the coming bypolls.
ABVP demands dismissal of UPA govt.
Members of Ahkila Bharat Vidyarthi Pasrishat (ABVP) yesterday staged a protest in front of the DC office urging President Pranab Mukherjee to immediately dismiss the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, which, they alleged was neck deep in corruption.
They further alleged that the Manmohan Singh government had failed in all fronts including controlling prices of essential commodities which was having devastating effects on the day to day life of common man.
Daily wagers of Forest Department
Members of Karnataka State Forest Department Daily Wage Employees’ Association staged a protest in front of Aranya Bhavan in Ashokapuram here yesterday demanding fulfilment of their various demands.
Their demands included salery payment through banks, clear salary dues from April for Social Forestry section workers and streamline payments of salaries due to workers in Mysore, Mandya, Hunsur and Malavalli divisions.
Courtesy : Star Of Mysore