Guwahati: Students of Gauhati University ended their 30-hour hunger strike on Tuesday after the administration assured them that talks would be held on the fee structure of the five-year integrated courses, which had been promoted as self-financing programmes. The university also extended the re-admission deadline till May 15.The protest, which began on Monday, was against what students described as exorbitant fees for the integrated courses introduced in 2023. On Tuesday, GU announced that a stakeholder meeting, including representatives of its finance committee, would be convened by May 10, once the election model code of conduct is lifted, to take a decision on the matter.Students said fees for integrated courses in most of the major subjects, introduced since 2023, on the GU campus are more than double those charged by affiliated colleges. They alleged that Arts students pay Rs 14,500 per semester, Science students Rs 16,500, and Commerce students Rs 25,000.Yadrishee Sarmah, assistant general secretary (UG) at GU-PGSU, who led the protest, said, “There are GU-affiliated colleges where the fees for the same courses in Arts are just around Rs 7,000 per year. Our students on the GU campus have been paying exorbitant fees in traditional courses in Science and Commerce as well for normal degrees,” said Yadrishee. “For newer batches, the integrated courses were promoted as self-financing, which has added to the burden,” he added.Despite rain and bad weather, students continued their hunger strike for two days before relief came through the university’s notification. The GU notice stated that the vice-chancellor had consulted Assam’s election authorities and clarified that no decision could be taken while the model code of conduct was in force. It added that the re-admission deadline was extended to May 15 and confirmed that the stakeholder meeting would be held on May 10, in line with the chief minister’s statement.Earlier, in a memorandum to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, the students said, “Many students are facing financial difficulties due to the present fee structure. Therefore, we humbly request you to kindly consider reducing the fees by up to 50% and providing a fee waiver for deserving and economically weaker students so that they can continue their education without financial burden.”
