Gujarat University increases exam fee, students protest

From - DNA 

Gujarat University’s decision to charge an additional Rs250 per semester as fee for practical exams has not gone down well with its students.

National Students Union of India (NSUI) on Thursday staged a demonstration near GU vice-chancellor (V-C) Parimal Trivedi’s office to protest this development.

Earlier, the university charged only Rs100 a year as examination fee. This was increased to Rs250 a semester (two semesters make one year). With this new levy, total examination fee now stands at Rs500 a semester.

According to students, it is illogical to charge Rs250 per semester for practical examination. Arts students, who have practical examination in just Home Science and Computer subjects, will be paying the same amount as science students who have practical exams in almost all subjects.

Speaking on the matter, NSUI president in Ahmedabad Vishwanath Vaghela said that the decision (to charge extra fee) will affect students coming from humble background.

“It is ridiculous how the V-C attributes the increase (in fee) to hike in fuel prices. Authorities should take serious action in the matter and pull back the hike, otherwise we will sit on an agitation,” said Vaghela.

V-C Parimal Trivedi, however, informed that there are 25,000 students appearing for practical exams but 600 of them appear in practical examination for arts and commerce.“We will arrive at a decision by Saturday,” added Trivedi.