Proposing a substantial hike in the fee and examination and other charges, Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) is trying to convince student outfits to agree to the move, which is likely to be placed before the executive council (EC) on January 31.

Even though the finance committee of the HPU has already given approval to the proposed hike, considering the opposition that is likely to come in from the student outfits, the authorities are keen that the students are convinced on the issue. The hike will be made as per the recommendations of the resource mobilisation committee made in 2006 that had specifically been constituted to suggest ways and means to generate additional income for the cash-strapped HPU.

Interestingly, this is for the first time since its inception in 1970 that the HPU is enhancing fee, including that of examination, duplicate mark sheet, re-evaluation, hostel and other services. The hike is expected to rake in an income of Rs 4 crore, which will come in very handy for the HPU which is finding it difficult to even manage the salaries of its employees.

The hike, ranging between 40 to 60 per cent, will affect almost 3.50 lakh undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled with the HPU. The hike is likely to affect students doing professional courses like MBBS, engineering, MBA, MCA and MTech the most along with 2,000 students currently residing in hostels on the HPU campus here. An annual expenditure of Rs 2.50 crore is made by the HPU on electricity and the transportation facility extended to students.

The university authorities are taking the plea that a hike in fee after 40 years of its existence is fully justified. “In some cases like obtaining a duplicate copy of a mark sheet, the HP Board of School Education charges over Rs 400 as compared to a pittance of Rs 30 charged by the HPU,” said a senior official of the HPU, defending the fee hike. The authorities say the hike will be made keeping in view the charges being levied by other universities in the region.

Though the HPU authorities are keen on the hike, it remains to be seen whether the government will favour it considering that the Assembly elections are due by the end of this year and this could emerge as a major issue.

In fact, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has even convened a roundtable conference on January 23 to deliberate on the issue. They have invited academics, students, teachers and employees to take part in the conference and air their views on the issue. Adopting a middle-path approach, the ABVP is in favour of a nominal hike but at the same time wants improvement in the services.

The Students Federation of India (SFI) on the other hand has already made its mind clear that they will hold an agitation against the hike, which is bound to hit poor students. SFI leaders have warned that in case a hike is made, they will launch a statewide agitation.

Ticklish Issue

The issue pertaining to the fee hike is likely to be placed before the executive council of the HPU on January 31
The finance committee of the university has already given approval to the proposed hike
The proposed hike, ranging between 40 and 60 per cent, will affect almost 3.50 lakh undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled with the university
Though the HPU authorities are keen on the hike, it remains to be seen whether the government will favour it considering that the Assembly elections are due by the end of this year and this could emerge as a major issue