Hundreds of JNU students yet to be allotted hostels

NEW DELHI: A number of students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Tuesday held a protest inside the campus against the administration’s “insensitivity” and for denying hostel facilities to hundreds of students.

Many students were seen in front of the Dean of Students (DOS) office, holding placards with the words ‘DOS Khabardar’ and shouting slogans against the administration and the rectors.

“Even after an entire semester, hundreds of students are without hostel accommodation. The delay in completion of the new Koyna part-ii hostel is connected with the rampant practice of sub-contracting. In the present hierarchy of contracts, no one is held accountable to any deadline. In 2014, we were told the hostel will be ready in a month’s time. But the work has been very slow,” claimed a protester.

“This is not just leading to unnecessary delays and harassment of students. It is also increasing the costs. A number of students are living in one hostel and are registered with the mess of some other hostel,” he complained.

The administration, meanwhile, has maintained that it has always tried to allot hostel rooms to students without delay.

As per guidelines, depending on their merit in the entrance examination, hostel seats are allotted to outstation students under the P-I category.

“With regards to allotment of hostels to students admitted during 2017-18, out of a total of 467 female applicants who applied under P-I category, 187 students were allotted hostels and 280 were not. Meanwhile, in P-II category, 84 female students applied and in P-III category, 36 students applied. But in both categories, no students were allotted hostel,” said a source at the University.

Reacting on the issue of mismanagement by the DOS’ office, JNU Students’ Union president Geeta Kumari said, “The DOS, instead of providing hostels and facilitating basic infrastructure, has unleashing a Raid Raj on hostel residents.”