SFI gives Statewide bandh call for edun institutes on Aug 24

Bangalore, Aug 21: The Students Federation of India (SFI) today gave a call for a Statewide bandh in schools and colleges on August 24, demanding fulfilment of its 15-point charter of demands.

The demands included immediate filling up of vacancies in teaching and non-teaching posts, earmarking 30 per cent of State budget, ten per cent of Central budget and six per cent of GDP for education sector, provision of basic facilities in Government colleges and hostels in the State and introduction of 27 per cent reservation for OBCs from the next academic year.

Talking to newspersons here, SFI State President B Rajasekhar Murthy alleged that the Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition Government in the State was neglecting the interests of students. The State Government was protecting the interests of private educational institutions by increasing fees for professional courses. Despite seven months having passed after the Ministry assumed office, Rs 35 crore for providing basic facilities in Government-run hostels was yet to be released, he added.

He warned that the agitation would be intensified if the State Government failed to fulfill its demands.

UNI