JNU row: HRD Min assures action over hostel fee hike

New Delhi, Nov 11 (UNI) Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ on Monday assured the agitating students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) of finding a solution to the fee hike issue.

Earlier in the day, a large number of students has taken to the streets near the campus protesting against the hostel fee hike. According to the protestors, their request to discuss the hike has been turned down by the university authorities.

The protest follows the hostel fee hike that went upto 300 per cent and is likely to affect majority of the students.

In view of the protest, police presence was stepped up in the area and the students were stopped as they tried to head towards the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) where Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu had come for third convocation ceremony.

Traffic flow was also affected due to the protest at the roads adjoining JNU campus area.

Students of JNU continue to protest over several issues, fee hike being one of them. Rent for student single room has been hiked from Rs 10 to Rs 300 and for student double room to Rs 600 from Rs 20. Besides, the one-time refundable mess security deposit has also been increased to Rs 12,000 from the existing Rs 5,500.