HRD Ministry appoints committee to recommend ways to restore normal functioning of JNU

The HRD Ministry on Monday appointed a three-member committee to recommend ways to restore normal functioning of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), officials said. The move comes on a day JNU students have planned a protest march to Parliament, continuing their agitation against the hostel fee hike.

"With a view to restore the normal functioning of JNU through dialogue with all stakeholders and to advise the university administration for resolution of contentious issues, the government has appointed a three-member high power committee," HRD Secretary R Subrahmanyam said. The panel includes former UGC Chairman VS Chauhan, AICTE chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe and UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain.

"The committee will initiate dialogue with the students and varsity administration immediately and submit recommendations on actions to be taken. The UGC will provide required support for the functioning of the committee," Subrahmanyam said. The varsity's students have been protesting for nearly three weeks against the draft hostel manual, which has provisions for the hostel fee hike, dress code, and curfew timings.

The students had last week staged a protest outside the varsity's annual convocation venue, during which Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' had remained stuck for over six hours. The varsity's Executive Council (EC) had later announced a partial roll back in the fee-only for students belonging to the BPL category and not availing any scholarships.

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