BSC nursing students stage protest, demand fee concession

Srinagar, Feb 6: B.Sc. nursing students from Institute of Nursing & Paramedical Sciences, South Campus, University of Kashmir, Anantnag on Wednesday staged a protest here against the University authorities demanding fee concession.

The protesting students claimed that the fee they had to pay was ‘too much’ as compared to other nursing colleges of the Valley.

Scores of students from the institute, wearing their nursing gowns, assembled at Press colony on Wednesday morning with placards reading ‘we want fee concession’ and ‘Is anybody listening’.

“I am a 2nd year student of the B.Sc. Nursing and we have to pay Rs. 77,800 per year, which is seven times higher than the fee, nursing students from  Government Medical College, Srinagar, have to pay. They pay Rs.10,000 per year,” said a protesting student Tasadduq.

“When Govt. college of Nursing, Srinagar and Bibi Halima College of Nursing , Srinagar also offer a fee deposit of not more than Rs. 40,000 a year, one wonders what compels University of Kashmir to seek such huge fee?” he questioned.

He also added that the fee they had to pay was very difficult to afford.

“Most of the students among us come from backward families. How can we afford this much?” he said.

When asked if they did talk to the concerned authorities regarding the fee concession, another protesting student replied, “We talked to our campus Director last year and he assured us that we will be given concession in our fee. We are in 2nd year now and they haven’t done anything yet.”

Students also threatened to go on a hunger strike if there demands were not met.

Dr. Nilofer Khan who is Dean College Development Council, University of Kashmir, when contacted, told The Kashmir Monitor that the issue was under process and they were working on it.

She said, “We have put forth the issue with the Governor also for the funding.”

“We have not been granted any funds by the state government till now. South campus of the University is run by its own funds and students’ fees only,” she said.

She further assured that as soon as the funds are granted in our favor, the fee will be surely decreased.