Students’ Union of Sikkim place 8-point charter of demands with VC

STUDENTS SERVE 7-DAY ULTIMATUM OR WILL BLOCK HIGHWAY IN PROTEST
GANGTOK, 07 May: Following the signature campaign at Sikkim Government College, Tadong, and Namchi Government College, the Students’ Union of Sikkim [SUS] placed an eight-point demand charter to the Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor, the HRDD Minister and HRDD Secretary on behalf of the students of SU-affiliated colleges today.
At first, members of SUS accompanied by students from SGC, Tadong and NGC carrying placards went to the Sikkim University Administrative Block at Samdur to submit the memorandum. The representatives of SUS and both the colleges met and interacted with the Vice Chancellor, Prof Mahendra P Lama and submitted the memorandum. The memorandum has also given a seven days ultimatum to the Vice Chancellor to give a positive response.
Later in the afternoon, copies of this 8-point demand charter were also submitted to the offices of the HRDD Minister and HRDD Secretary.
Addressing a press conference later, SUS members mentioned that the submission of the memorandum containing eight of what they see as “genuine demands” of students was “just the beginning” and that “the movement” would continue till the fulfillment of these demands. The press conference was addressed by president, Jiwan Subba, secretary, Pankaj Rai, treasurer, Anand Biswakarma and publicity secretary, Ravi Giri of SUS.
They mentioned that if the VC does not respond positively within the seven days then the SUS will visit every SU affiliated college across the State to gain more support from the students and then block the highway in a peaceful manner until their demands are fulfilled. They informed that during the meeting the VC said that the demands were genuine and raised no objections to these demands.
It is informed that the VC also appealed to the students not to get swayed by rumors spread through various media and to know the truth first. They informed that the VC would respond to their demands through a letter addressed to SUS.
SUS members alleged that the VC has been trying to save himself by putting the blame on the college authorities and State administration on various issues related to the University. They further added that the VC is totally neglecting the students’ needs.
They also questioned the VC that if the infrastructures were not ready then why were the various courses started and why lack of infrastructure is now being cited as the reason behind the absence of PG level regular courses [one of the demands]. SUS members mentioned that they have been fighting for these demands not only for the betterment of the present students but for the coming generations as well.
SUS is also submitting copies of their demands to the President of India, Prime Minister, Union HRD Minister, Chief Minister of Sikkim, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs from Sikkim, SU Chancellor, UGC Chairman, SU Executive Council members and other concerned authorities on Tuesday.
The charter of demands mainly stresses on the demand for post graduation courses in History, Commerce, Education, English, Political Science, Tourism, Botany, Zoology, Regional language and in other regular courses running in the SU affiliated colleges from the coming session. The second demand is 50% reservation for local students in post graduation and higher level studies. Demands also include formation of College Development Committee at the earliest, filling up the full strength of the students in various courses in the university and to bring down the fee structure at par with other central universities in the country.
It also includes the demand for definite and valid results to be put up on the website or else provide authenticated results within one week from the declaration of the results on the website and the need to include college’s faculty members in the executive council and academic council of the university. They have finally demanded a review of the Zero Semester system of the University.