Mangaluru: Students from backward communities and distant districts, who rely on hostels run by the Backward Classes welfare department and SC/ST welfare hostels, are left stranded at the start of the academic year as allotments are yet to be finalised. Many are being forced to arrange costly private accommodation or return home.Vanita Devadiga, principal, govt PU College for Women, Balmatta, said the situation is already affecting admissions this year. The college recorded 485 admissions; 15 girl students have quit and gone back to their hometowns. “Several others are not attending classes regularly because they have no facility to stay. Paying guest accommodation is unaffordable for many, leaving students with little choice but to discontinue studies,” she said, adding that some students have stayed back hoping hostel allotment will be completed soon.Demand for hostels is particularly high within Mangaluru city limits, where available seats are insufficient to match the number of applicants.Vincent Mascarenhas, principal, Govt PU College, Bokkapatna, said his college has 350 students, many from North Karnataka. In the absence of seats in city hostels, the college has been advising male students to opt for facilities in Neermarga and Montepadavu. However, he said, the delay has compounded the problem this year.“The last date for applications was June 15, and the hostel allotment process is expected to take another month to complete, leaving students in uncertainty during a crucial period of classes,” he said.There is a demand to complete the hostel admission process before classes begin.
