Ludhiana: A fresh tussle has erupted at the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Gadvasu), months after veterinary students secured a substantial hike in their internship stipend. Students are now demanding the withdrawal of a newly introduced Rs 30,000 internship registration fee, arguing that it negates the benefit of the enhanced allowance.The Veterinary Students’ Union has submitted a memorandum to the university authorities, seeking a review of the decision and withdrawal of the fee, which is set to take effect from the 2026-27 academic session.Students contend that when they took admission in 2022, the prospectus made no mention of any internship registration charge. They said their families had planned finances based on the fee structure notified at the time and that the additional expense has come as an unexpected burden at the final stage of the course.The issue has gained traction because it follows last year’s prolonged protests by veterinary students demanding parity with internship stipends offered to MBBS students and veterinary colleges elsewhere. Following the agitation, the university increased the internship allowance from Rs 15,000 to Rs 22,000 per month earlier this year.Students, however, argue that the new charge effectively offsets part of that gain.“The stipend was increased after a legitimate demand, but now a new fee is being recovered from students. It defeats the purpose of the hike,” said a student.The union has also pointed out that the compulsory internship is an integral part of veterinary education, during which students work full-time in university hospitals and clinical settings to fulfil academic requirements.Students further claimed that tuition and other academic charges for subsequent batches have risen sharply over the years and that those admitted through the state quota are already facing higher educational costs.Responding to the concerns, dean of the College of Veterinary Science, Dr SS Randhawa, said the internship registration charge had been introduced for the first time at Gadvasu, while several veterinary institutions across the country had been levying similar charges for years.Vice-chancellor Dr JPS Gill said the university had significantly enhanced internship support over the years despite limited resources.“When these students joined in 2022, the internship stipend was only Rs 6,200 per month. It was subsequently increased to Rs 15,000 and is now Rs 22,000 per month. The increase alone costs the university more than Rs 1.5 crore annually,” he said.Gill maintained that the Rs 30,000 charge was a one-time registration fee and not an internship fee. He added that the university receives no additional govt funding to meet the increased stipend expenditure and is required to raise resources on its own.The VC, however, indicated that the administration may reconsider the amount. “The students met me and we will examine whether some reduction can be considered,” he said.
