Presidency students protest against abnormal hike' in counselling fee

Kolkata: Presidency University students union members on Thursday held a sit-in at the campus on Thursday in protest against what they describe as “abnormal hike” in counselling fee to courses in BA and BSc streams.

The demonstration was held outside the offices of the vice-chancellor, registrar and senior officials to protest against the authorities’ decision to charge Rs 500 instead of the earlier fee of Rs 100 ascounselling fee, a spokesman of the SFI, the student wing of the CPI(M), said.

Members of Independent Consolidation, another students’ organisation, also took part in the agitation. Registrar Debojyoti Konar said, “The university has no role in the issue as the entire counselling process is conducted by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) Board and counselling fee hike was their decision.” The university conducts Presidency University Bachelor Degree Entrance Test 2018 which is an under-graduate course and the counselling is done by WBJEE.

The counselling and admission process are conducted on the basis of merit list and candidates appear for counselling round as per the date and time mentioned for them as per their ranking.

“With sudden announcement of Rs 500 as fee, students from not so well off families will face problem,” a union member said. The first round counselling and provisional admission dates have been fixed from July 17 to 20. The second round counselling is slotted from August 22-23.