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NLU Assam students on strike to get refund of college fees. For all 4 years...

Bad customer service: NLUA students demand Rs 60+ lakh back from college
Bad customer service: NLUA students demand Rs 60+ lakh back from college
NLU Assam students demanded more than Rs 60 lakhs from the law school, in refund of fees for various facilities which they claimed the administration had failed to provide to them. After their request was ignored since September 2014, the students on Friday (13 May) launched an indefinite boycott of classes.

According to a table (see image) with exact fee figures prepared by the student body for each academic year from 2011 to 2016, the college did not use the full amount deposited by students under heads such as journal fee, internship fee, student bar committee, moot court, internet facility and student welfare fee. In underutilising these funds, the college allegedly also deprived students of the facilities under each of those heads. The student body then demanded refund equal to the unused balance in the administration’s coffers.

In a memorandum prepared by the student body, which they submitted to an external committee of NLU vice chancellors appointed to give their recommendations on the dispute, the students stated:

“The External Committee held extensive discussions with student representatives to resolve the matter of the refund but to no avail. The recommendation of the Committee was against allowing refund of the money to the students, but instead advised utilization of the money that has been accumulated for granting benefits to the future batches of students. The current students of the University, who feel deprived of facilities promised by the University, are vehemently opposed to suggestions made to the students by the Committee such as ‘they (students) should feel pride in being associated with this prestigious up-coming University and should set finest tradition of the personal sacrifices for the future batches’.”

According to a press release from the student body:

“The students of NLU, Assam have gone on indefinite strike and all classes have been indefinitely suspended, in response to the lack of concern shown by the University authorities despite peaceful appeals towards the high fees charged in lieu of which services are yet to be provided, and for speedy construction of permanent campus at Amingaon.

With regard to the high fees charged (Rs. 2,14,000 for first year and thereon Rs. 1,76,000 per annum), the services provided have been dismal, or mostly non-existent. The requests of the students for refund/ adjustment of fee amount has been unattended by the authorities who have delayed the process for more than 3 years on various pretexts, thereby disheartening the students. The University authorities have assured the representation of students before the relevant administrative bodies but were not permitted to present their case before the concerned authorities when the said body convened for discussion, despite written assurances being given by the University administration.”

They added in the press release that despite the university receiving government funds up to Rs 300 crore to build a permanent campus, the law school is to date being run from a temporary campus, and that students have to live in “congested spaces and pathetic conditions”.

NLU Assam vice chancellor Prof Vijender Kumar was not reachable for comment at the time of going to press.

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