AU prepares to crack the whip at hostel inmates

PRAYAGRAJ: Hinting at strong action against inmates of various hostels of the Allahabad University, the central varsity authorities have decided that degrees of these inmates could be withheld if they do not vacate them.

These are students who have forcefully taken possession of their rooms despite all AU hostels and those run by trusts, being closed due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Moreover, these inmates could also face a ban from appearing in examinations. A missive hinting at these actions has been issued by AU dean students’ welfare (DSW) KP Singh.

The DSW has sent a letter to all superintendents and wardens of hostels and has sought a report on the action taken to get the hostels vacated by Monday (February 1).

Soon after the lockdown, all hostels of AU and those of the trusts were closed and inmates were asked to vacate their rooms. All hostels were closed by the AU administration and no entry has been allowed in any hostel till date.

However, it was seen that in many hostels, inmates started living in allotted rooms without permission of the authorities despite the fact that hostels have not been opened.

AU registrar NK Shukla had also issued a notification directing the superintendents to collect a fine of five times the monthly fee from these inmates.

Not only did the inmates not vacate their rooms, the university administration has received reports that the number of such forced entries have increased.

On the other hand, the AU administration too is adamant that either such inmates vacate their rooms or face action because the University Grants Commission has still not permitted opening of hostels or start offline mode of teaching in universities.

Because of this, the DSW wrote a letter to the superintendents and wardens of all the hostels, dated January 28, asking them to write to the parents of the inmates, informing them about the deeds of their wards and that they have to give five-times their hostel fees as fine.

Instructions have also been issued that action could be taken against these inmates which include not issuing admit cards for the forthcoming exams, ban on appearing in the examination, stop exam results, not giving marksheets and degrees and cancel hostel allocation.

Reports of action taken have been summoned from the superintendents till Monday. After this, action will be initiated by chief proctor Harsh Kumar.

“The DSW has written to the hostel authorities asking them about the number of inmates in their respective hostels and those who have not given fine. AU has also decided to inform the parents of the inmates”, said AU public relations officer Jaya Kapoor.