NSUI releases manifesto for DUSU polls

National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has promised to be a torch bearer of "democracy", "freedom" and "transparency" on the Delhi University campus if it is voted to power in the upcoming students elections of the varsity.
Releasing its manifesto for the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) polls, dates for which are yet to be announced, the student wing of the Congress today said its budget and expenditures would be made public on the internet.
"Rs 41 lakh budget for last two years was spent under miscellaneous category by the ABVP regime, we will categorise the spending and put it online," NSUI national president Fairoz Khan said, adding that budget allocation will be done after seeking opinions from student representatives of colleges.

The NSUI also promised to take action against perpetrators of violence on the campus.
"We will raise issues with appropriate authorities and use the office of DUSU to track violent incidents which needs institutional support for sorting it out," AICC in-charge for NSUI Ruchi Gupta told reporters.
Forming a charter comprising rights of students, setting up of grievance redressal mechanisms, opposing privatisation of the varsity, fighting to make it accessible through fee rationalisation and ensuring affordable PGs are among other promises made in the manifesto.

"We will also ensure all the 50 odd DU colleges get equal opportunities in terms of exposure, seminars, guest lectures and placement opportunities," Khan said.

English classes for first generation students from marginalised communities will be provided to ensure they are not left out, the manifesto said.
Making a paradigm shift from the past elections, the NSUI also said that it will curb spending excess money for the polls and instead hold public meetings and talk about "real" issues concerning students.
"This is the beginning of a cultural shift within the NSUI and we will try to implement it as much as possible. The union will hold public meetings and issue pamphlets to every student and cut down on spending," Gupta said, pitching for a consensus with other parties on reducing poll expenses.

The NSUI also said it would try to increase the voter turnout to at least 50 percent, besides promising freedom and safety for women on the campus.