Yahya Hallare

Daijiworld Media Network – Bhatkal (EP)

Bhatkal, Sep 24: ABVP held a protest march demanding for the maintenance of a status quo with regard to examination fees in Government First Grade College and to set right other anomalies in the college.

In an appeal addressed to the Governor of Karnataka and copied to the Chief Minister, minister of Higher Education, Deputy Commissioner of North Kanara district, Chancellor of Karnataka University, Dharwad, district in-charge ,inister and MLA of Bhatkal-Honnavar constituency; they have stated that the students of the said college hail from poor backgrounds and that the sudden increase in fees has affected them.

Besides that, they have also said that the students were unable to avail facilities due to lack of information. Though there is a carry over system for failed degree students, the exemption from payment of examination fees is made difficult.

In another letter addressed to the Tahsildar in Bhatkal, they have requested for allotment of land for the college. In the letter, they have said that the college began functioning on July 29, 2007, but does not have a building of its own. The college is functioning in a rented building.

As the years pass by, the number of students have increased and 1,304 students are studying in the college at present. Students are not able
to attend classes at the same time. Students coming from villages for afternoon classes reach home at areound 8 or 9 pm. Besides that, about 100 students sit in classes meant for 50 students.

As classes are being conducted in the rented building, there is no campus, toilets, library and a playground. The college has continued with the same status for the past seven years. Students and people are pained to see the college in that condition.

ABVP has urged the Tahsildar to sanction necessary land for the college. They have threatened of agitation if suitable measures are not taken.

Student ABVP secretary Devaker, Krishna Naik, Tilak, Harsha Naik, Jayanaki, Deepa Naik, Anuradha and others were present.

The procession started from Government College at Ranginkatte Bhatkal, passed by Shamshuddin Circle and reached A C Office. They submitted a memorandum to Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner Kurma Rao.

The students have said that the college is running on rented property near Bhatkal court for the last seven years at a monthly rent of Rs 73,000.