Accomodation problems plague PG boarders at Osmania University

Hyderabad: PG boarders in Osmania University are facing problems as the varsity has not opened its hostels so far despite the commencement of classes from July 31, 2018, for the new academic year. Around 5,000 students have joined the university and a majority of them are from rural backgrounds.

They are forced to find accommodation in private hostels for Rs 200 or Rs 300 a day. Students are also paying for their meals. Sometimes they eat at the Saibaba temple near the university. According to the university, they can only join the hostels once all the students pay their government-sponsored hostel deposits and mess fees as they do not get any funds from the state government to run the hostels.

Students who wish to stay in hostels need to pay Rs 10,000 for the accommodation and Rs 2,000 for the mess. The students lamented that as most of them came from poor backgrounds they could not afford to pay so much fees. Student organisations have demanded that the government pay hostel deposits and mess fees.

P. Srihari, ABVP-OU In-charge and State Working Committee member, said "The classes have begun for the new academic year  from July 31,but till date the university authorities have not opened the hostels.”