HRDD Principal Secretary clarifies

GANGTOK, 15 July: Speaking on the clash between college students and police personnel on Monday evening Principal Secretary, Human Resource Development Department [HRDD], Dr Thomas Chandy said today that, “It was very unfortunate that the situation turned ugly and such an incident happened.” He added that the department took the decision of rolling back the fee hike immediately so that the situation did not go out of hand.
Addressing a press conference today, Dr. Chandy clarified that the decision to hike the fees was taken in a routine meeting held between the HRD officials and the Principals of the colleges which is held from time to time. The decision was taken after the principals suggested that there was a need for a fee hike looking at the day-to-day expenses and requirements of the colleges, especially for the equipments needed in the science labs, he stated.
“Till Saturday there was no problem. A group had come to meet the Director [Higher Education, HRDD], who explained to them the reason behind the hike and why it was necessary. They were told that 70% of the college fee would go back to the college fund for use in the college and the students went back satisfied. But on Monday a larger group marched up to the HRD Department, who were again explained the situation by the Director, but the students did not accept the explanations,” said the Secretary.
He informed that another 10% of the fee collected would go towards the Social Responsibility Fund which would be used for the students who come from economically weaker sections of the society and cannot afford to study or pay the college fees.
Later, the HRDD officials met with representatives of the five colleges and tried to sort out the situation and submit a memorandum so that the department officials could look into the matter and find a solution, but the students gave the officials time of just two days to roll back the fees or face dire consequences and shouting slogans went back to the college where they blocked the road which eventually led to the law and order situation, he informed, adding that not enough time was given for the matter to be resolved.
Now since the fees have been rolled back by the government, he has appealed to the students to start attending their classes and not worsen the already vexed situation.
He has further asked the Principals to pacify the students, talk to them and ask them to attend their classes since the colleges have begun classes from Monday.
“We will also be offering compensation to college students injured in the lathicharge,” he further informed. “I wanted to meet with the injured students personally but was informed that they had been discharged from the hospital after receiving first aid,” he added.
Meanwhile, the department has also applied for the centrally sponsored scheme falling under the Rashtriya Uchtar Siksha Abhiyan [RUSA] of the Central Government, but that will still take some time as talks regarding the same are going on between the department and the centre. But the biggest problem as of now is of providing faculty especially for the students of science stream, he stated.
“We have now accepted their demand of rolling back the fee hike and hope that the students will start attending classes as soon as possible so that their future is not spoiled and no law and order situation is created,” the Secretary said.