CHANDIGARH: February 15, 2012 : Two student leaders, Sunny Mehta and Ravinder Singh Rawat, affiliated to the National Students Union of India, went on an indefinite hunger strike today demanding withdrawal of hike in hostel mess charges and prices of several items at the Students Centre.
They have been protesting since the first week of January for withdrawal of the hike of an average of Rs 3 per diet. The earlier protests had led to the reduction in the prices of mealst at the Student Centre from Rs 29 to Rs 20. But the prices of many other items is still high.
Mr Mehta said that they have protested four times and have met the Vice Chancellor five times but have got nothing more than assurances. The Vice Chancellor has assured them he would discuss the issue with the Dean Student Welfare, Dr. A. S. Ahluwalia, before taking any action, but no action has been taken so far.
After a long wait, they decided to sit on hunger strike until the issue is finally resolved.
During the tenure of the present vice chancellor R C Sobti, the food charges have nearly doubled from Rs 13/14 to Rs 25/29 per diet.
He suggested that contractors can be given subsidy, like it is done in the JNU. The cost of meals in JNU messes is ` 15 against ` 30 here.
