The Hindu : Karnataka / Mangalore News : University to wind up relief fund, return amount

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Mangalore

University to wind up relief fund, return amount

By Raviprasad Kamila

MANGALORE, FEB. 22. Mangalore University has decided to refund to colleges the amount collected from students towards the Vice-Chancellor's Relief Fund.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Syndicate held on Thursday, sources in the university told The Hindu .

The university, in this academic year, collected Rs. 50 from each student through colleges towards the relief fund. The intention was to bring the students under an insurance scheme. Under the scheme, it had been planned to provide compensation to the family of students in case of the latter's death owing to accidents or disease. Also, the scheme provided for reimbursing the medical costs of students owing to accidents.

The university had planned to launch the relief scheme this academic year as it is observing its silver jubilee, sources said.

Criticism

But some students and teachers had criticised the university for collecting the funds. They accused it of not maintaining transparency and wanted to know the intention behind collecting the money. The criticism continued even after the university authorities clarified through the media that the fund collected is safe with the university and there is no misappropriation.

Refund

Pained by the criticisms against the university, the Vice-Chancellor, B. Hanumaiah, who is also the Chairman of the Syndicate, told the meeting that he had decided to refund the amount to the colleges, according to the sources.

When contacted, Prof. Hanumaiah told The Hindu that the university does not wish to continue with the scheme as students and teachers do not want it.

He noted that some universities in the State have implemented such a scheme by collecting money from students. A case in point is Karnatak University. The scheme has helped the students, he said.

"Though I tried to implement such a scheme in Mangalore University, some people opposed it without proper knowledge about it."

K. Sundar Naik, Registrar, said that approximately, Rs. 15 lakhs has been collected for the relief fund from students. Not all colleges have contributed for the same.

Colleges to decide

He said the amount will be returned to colleges. Students can collect the money from their respective colleges. Or it is up to the colleges to take a decision on the funds. Mr. Naik said the scheme would have benefited many students in times of crisis.

Meanwhile, observers noted that the university should not have taken a hasty decision to wind up the scheme bowing to criticisms from a section of students and teachers. It need not succumb to pressure by some vested interests.

They said the university can reintroduce the proposal before the Syndicate and get approval to revive the scheme. They also noted that all colleges may not refund the amount to students. Instead, they may use the funds to improve their infrastructure.

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