The closure of a mess in Osmania University has kept the Research Scholars of the university in hunger. The mess was shut down on Thursday evening as the government failed to clear the bills pending. The Telangana State Council of Higher Education officials had assured that it would be opened next day evening but it did not happen.
It is said that a staggering 7 Crore is pending from the government to the mess. Even after the Chief Minister’s promise, there is no release of funds. Students who fought for separate statehood are now doing relay hunger strikes against the government’s apathy towards them.
The students also demand a hike in fellowship on par with central universities. Research scholars in central varsities get Rs 3,000-8,000 as fellowship amount. But Osmania Research scholars are paid only Rs 850-Rs 1,000 as fellowship amount and they have to pay anywhere between Rs 1,200 and Rs 4,000 per month towards mess bills.
