Kalyani University reduces fees, VC again sends resignation

The authorities at Kalyani University (KU) today withdrew the notification of hiking Post Graduate fees, even as Vice Chancellor Rattan Lal Hangloo again sent his resignation to the Governor.
"I have sent the copy of my resignation letter to the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the University, but had no talks with him today," the VC said.
The protesting students resumed their agitation this morning and marched through various departments holding placards and staged a dharna in front of the KU administrative building.
Shortly after noon, Aloke Ghosh, chairman of the Fee Review Committee announced the decision to reduce the fees and said, "Following the recommendation of the Review Committee, the VC was pleased to reduce the fees," which was welcomed by the students. The demonstration was also withdrawn.

Later, Ghosh told reporters that the KU authorities had taken the decision on humanitarian grounds.
"Students are like our own children. From the very beginning we tried to sit for a discussion with them, but they refused. We have recommended that the fee structure be rolled back to what was in 2013-15 and the VC has accepted it."

The protesting students had gheraoed the VC, Deans and other officials for about 21 hours on Thursday last, demanding reduction of fees, prompting Hangloo to send his resignation to the Chancellor.
The Chancellor, however, did not accept it.
Fees for Post Graduate M Sc was Rs 5,910 for four semesters in 2013-15 and Rs 4,310 for MA, which were enhanced to Rs 21,100 and Rs 14,700 for the two streams respectively, for 2014-16.

On an appeal by the state education minister Partha Chatterjee, the fees was reduced to Rs 14,160 for M Sc and Rs 10,160 for MA in February this year.