A massive protest organized by the Gauhati University Post-Graduate Students' Union (PGSU) on Monday night brought vehicular movement on National Highway 17 to a standstill. The demonstration, demanding a rollback of fees, paralyzed traffic for approximately three hours, causing significant inconvenience to travelers. Many commuters missed their flights while attempting to reach the airport, and ambulances were also forced to wait for extended periods.
University Authorities Facilitate Talks with Chief Minister
The protest compelled university authorities to arrange a meeting between student representatives and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Sources indicated that since Gauhati University must adhere to directives from the higher education department regarding fee waivers, the meeting with the Chief Minister will be crucial. However, the specific date for the meeting has yet to be finalized.
University Notification on Fee Waiver Policy
In response to the student protests, the university registrar issued a notification on Tuesday evening. The notification stated that the fee structure for the ongoing Five Year Integrated Masters Programme (FYIMP) now incorporates a fee waiver policy for eligible students, subject to prescribed terms and conditions. Detailed guidelines and eligibility criteria will be announced shortly. The students had been demanding a complete fee waiver for Below Poverty Line (BPL) students and a reduction in fees for all other FYIMP students, alleging that FYIMP fees are significantly higher than those for other postgraduate courses.
Changes in Fee Structure
The notification further clarified that from the 7th semester onward, the fee structure for FYIMP students will align with the existing fee structure for regular PG programs. It also added that the current fee structure may be revised if the government introduces a fee waiver scheme.
