On July 9, a second-year student of the Delhi Skills and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU), belonging to the Scheduled Caste category, knocked on the doors of the academics section seeking a concession in fee.
The student, enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration (Facilities and Hygiene Management) course at the main campus in Dwarka, was, however, told to pay the same course fee as that of students in the 2022-23 batch sans waiver.
“The fee for SC students was Rs 45,140. Now, we have to pay Rs 56,700 (regular fee of the 2022-23 batch),” the student claimed. This is the annual fee for this BBA course.
Reeling under a sharp hike in fees across a majority of programmes, students alleged DSEU has now revoked the 10% fee concession for EWS students and 20% for SC and ST students — a claim denied by the university.
The students’ body, Aawaz, said it staged protests by displaying posters across the 22 campuses that read: “Why DSEU revoke aid for SC, ST and EWS students… (sic).”
When contacted, DSEU Vice-Chancellor Prof Ashok Kumar Nagawat said, “There is no approval of concession in fees for SC/ST and EWS category students as of now. The decision on concession will be taken during a meeting of the finance committee; till then, no action can be taken in this regard because objections will be raised during the audit.”
When asked how approval was received for concessions provided till last year, the V-C declined to comment. “A consideration for waivers will be discussed in the meeting,” Nagawat maintained.
The Registrar, Professor Gagan Dhawan, said, “On February 14, during a meeting of the Board of Management, this matter was discussed and a request on not charging the recovery fee (of previously waived amounts) to students was considered. Earlier, the fee waiver did not have the approval of proper bodies which is why this time, the administration is ensuring that the concession is provided after proper approval.”
He added that the administration is aware of the concerns raised by students since the start of the latest academic session. In the upcoming meeting, he said the varsity would seek an increase in funds as well as ‘student-friendly’ decisions.
A teacher, on condition of anonymity, said, “I am worried because I am left watching as a mute spectator… the university has ignored the upliftment of SC/ST students in its decisions.”
He added that all students are affected because of the overall fee hike. Earlier, concerned by fee hikes in almost all 80 courses across 19 active campuses, students had protested demanding a relaxation in fees as well as information on scholarships or grants.
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