INSO leader Sukhdev Kundu said the proposal to hike the cost of the prospectus for various departments is an issue of concern especially for aspirants hailing from rural and backward parts of the country. “A hike of nearly Rs 200 for the prospectus of the Common Entrance Test (CET) is not acceptable. Education should not be made out of reach of bright students,” he said. Kundu added this would be a major blow for the students who have limited resources to carry on higher studies.

If the proposed fee hike for the forms is approved in the Syndicate meeting scheduled for January 25, students will have to shell out Rs 300 more for various forms on an average.

Students would have to pay Rs 1,700 for the O-CET prospectus and Rs 1,800 for other forms as compared to last year’s

Rs 1,500. Students maintain that it is a serious matter for candidates who have to apply to 2-3 departments to ensure admission in one of them.

They suggest a provision be made to refund the price of the prospectus of the department in which they don’t secure admission.

The proposal would be implemented only after it is approved by the syndicate in the meeting to be held on January 25. The proposal has caused a lot of resentment among the students and also this is not the only high fee that is bothering the students but also there are proposals to hike charges of other prospectuses and forms. Talking to Newsine Parambir Singh Sunny, member SOI said, "The hike is absolutely uncalled for and Rs 10,000 for viewing an answer sheet cannot be justified at all". Sharing similar feelings Sukhdev Kundu president INSO said, "Authorities need to justify as to what made them propose a fee as high as Rs 10,000 for a 32 page answer booklet". The students maintain that they will not allow this decision to be implemented.