Numerous self-governing educational institutions intend to take a slew of measures including a hike in the tuition fee and charging a fee for internet usage as the government has asked them to generate additional wherewithal from the students. This move was announced a day after the release of a circular by the HRD Ministry stating that there would be a mandatory reduction of 10 percent in non-plan expenditure in the period 2009-10 as a part of the austerity drive and these organizations must extract money from students through strategies like raising the tuition fee and even withdrawal of hostel subsidies to name a few.
Prof Deepak Pental, Vice Chancellor of the Delhi University adds, “We would like to revise it. Besides, we will take user charges for internet.” Though there are bound to be a lot of changes, no final verdict has been given. He explains further, “The matter of fee revision will go to the academic council which is the apex body to take a decision on the matter.” IIT has already adopted a few steps which include charging students for power usage in hostels as well as internet.