Lucknow: Lucknow University (LU) has increased the annual fees of Ranveer Singh Bisht Hostel, located at the Arts College, from Rs 7,000 to Rs 26,000, including Rs 1,000 as caution money.Agitated over the decision, students staged a protest outside the offices of the vice-chancellor and proctor on Tuesday, demanding that the fee hike be rolled back.Students questioned the need for the almost four-fold hike and said it would put an additional burden on their budgets.Chief Provost Aashees Awasthi said: “The hostel had remained closed for the past two to three years because of its dilapidated condition. It was renovated and reopened for students with 66 seats for boys. Earlier, only two or three students were allotted rooms.”He added that the hostel now has new tables, chairs, fans, washing machines, water coolers and a submersible, along with other facilities.The university increased the fee after the renovation and addition of facilities.A student, Shubham Kharwar, said: “The fee has gone up nearly four times, which is difficult for students to afford. Renovation of university hostels should not become a burden on students.”Another student, Ranvijay Singh, said the university should consider the financial condition of students before increasing the fee.
