Despite hurdles, Rahul meets varsity students in Kanpur

Kanpur, Oct 24 (UNI) Even as interaction between Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi and the students of Chandrashekhar Azad Agriculture University could not take place at the scheduled venue, the youth leader managed to hear their problems and prominent demand of a 'central university' status to the varsity at a tryst meet in its canteen.

The last-hour changes in the programme also failed to desist Mr Gandhi from listening to the woes of the students, when he decided to meet them in the canteen.

In an half-an-hour interaction, the students apprised the congress leader about the poor state of placements, hostel and lack of funds in the university, which was hampering both the research work and creating salary crisis to the teachers.

The Amethi MP, however, assured that he would take up the matter with the Central Government and do whatever was possible in the regard.

Talking to UNI, Ram Milan Yadav, an MSc I yr student, complained about lack of scholarship facility to them, saying. ''It has been more than one year that we have received any scholarship,'' he uttered.

The University VC was, however, unavailable for any comments regarding the cancellation of the programme.

The PRO of the university C P Sacchan said the programme has been cancelled after seeing the lesser gathering of students due to the festive season.

As soon as the young Congress MP had landed at Chakeri airport here, the Congressmen accompanying him were informed that his scheduled interaction with the students stood cancelled on the instructions of the state administration.

''We are specifically informed by the university authorities that the programme has been cancelled as per the instructions of the state administration,'' state Congress spokesman Akhilesh Pratap Singh had said.

However, when being contacted, the senior officials of the state government denied they had brought a change in Mr Gandhi's programme and termed it the sole decision of the university.

In a sharp reaction, Union Minister of State for Home and local MP Sriprakash Jaiswal said the last-hour change in Mr Gandhi's programme who symbolises the youth force of the country, an 'undemocratic' move.

Later in the day, Uttar Pradesh Governor T V Rajeswar is also scheduled to reach the university here at its convocation function.

UNI MB/JAS SBC SB BST1444