After a ten-day impasse in the admission for odd semesters of three years degree (TDC) course of Diphu Government College, the issue has been solved after the meeting between representatives of student organization, authority of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and the college authority at KAAC Secretariat in Diphu of Assam on Monday.
It may be mentioned that the of admission for odd semesters (3rd and 5th semesters) for TDC was announced by Diphu Government College two weeks ago after which student organisations, Karbi Students Association and Diphu Regional Students Association-AASU demanded reduction of fee.
According to the college notification for TDC Science stream for 3rd and 5th semesters, the fees for pass course is Rs 5,290 and those opting for honours is Rs 5,570.
While for Arts and Commerce with pass course the admission fee was Rs 4,865 and those opting for honours is Rs 4,985.
On May 24, the student bodies led by Simeon Rongphar and Diphu Regional Students Union, AASU along with students of Diphu Government College took out a protest procession from DGC to KAAC Secretariat and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Executive Member (CEM), KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang and Executive Member (EM) for Higher Education Jagatsing Engti.
On May 30, a meeting with KAAC representatives, Diphu Government College principal and student leaders was held to solve the matter.
In that meeting, it was agreed to reduce the fees by Rs 1000.
But not satisfied with the fee reduction, the students held a sit-in-demonstration at the college campus next day, that is May 31.
With assurance of the KAAC authority and Diphu Government College on fee structure, they concluded the sit-in-demonstration.
But on June 1, Diphu Government College principal Nirab Kr Sarma issued admission forms, but at the time of admission the student bodies stopped the process.
On Monday, the second round of discussion with the representatives of KSA and DRSU, AASU and KAAC authority was held.
Now, the admission fee for TDC 3rd and 5th semester pass course for Arts and Commerce is Rs 1,910 and those with honours subject is Rs 2030, while for Science pass course it is Rs 2,335 and for honours it is Rs 2,615.
The meeting was attended by KSA president Simeon Rongphar and another faction of KSA led by president Bijoy Bey and Hills Progressive Youth Association (HPYA) president Enjoy Tisso, while from KAAC side, EM for higher education Jagatsing Engti, Secretary, KAAC Nirila Phangchopi and Inspector of Schools, Karbi Anglong Rowelson Rongpi and DGC Principal Nirab Kr Sarma.
Later in the evening, in a press conference held at Simeon Rongphar led KSA office, the KSA president Rongphar informed that about 50 per cent of fee has been reduced.
It is a temporary solution for this year by the KAAC authority and the fee structure in the coming years may change.
The Director of Higher Education, Government of Assam has constituted a seven member committee for making uniform fee structure for all government colleges in the State.
HPYA, president Enjoy Tisso; DRSU, AASU, president Shimanta Gogoi were also present at the press briefing.
EM for higher education, Jagating Engti informed that it was a proposal by the Director of Higher Education Assam for increase of admission fees, but has not directed the colleges in the State to increase the admission fees.