Members of the Nagpur University Senate voiced severe criticism on Friday regarding the worsening living conditions at the institution's boys' hostels. The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Manali Kshirsagar, responded by assuring the House that she would personally inspect and assess the state of all student residential facilities.
Claims of Completed Repairs Disputed by Senators
During the session, senators directly challenged the engineering section's assertion that repair works in both boys' and girls' hostels had been fully finished. They countered that students continue to face significant problems, including leaking roofs, damaged infrastructure, and an absence of basic amenities. This contradiction highlights a gap between official reports and ground reality.
One specific issue raised involved the boys' hostel located near Law College Square. A member pointed to rampant encroachments and the accumulation of solid waste as major concerns, compounding the overall hygiene problems at the facility.
Demand for Accountability and Transparency
To ensure accountability, senators proposed a new mandatory protocol. They demanded that the administration require signatures from at least two resident students on feedback forms following the completion of any repair work. This measure aims to verify that the work has been done satisfactorily before official closure.
Further undermining the engineering department's claims, members noted that while the university engineer stated "all works were completed," the hostel warden had confirmed that several repairs were still pending. In light of this discrepancy, the administration has now directed the engineer to submit a detailed list of the work that was purportedly finished.
Vice-Chancellor's Assurance of Swift Action
Taking the concerns seriously, Vice-Chancellor Manali Kshirsagar provided a firm assurance to the Senate. She committed to visiting the hostels herself to get a firsthand understanding of the situation. Her goal is to ensure that all pending repair works are identified and taken up for completion immediately, without any further delay.
The Senate's intervention has successfully pushed the hostel maintenance issue to the top of the university administration's agenda. The personal involvement of the new VC signals a potential shift towards greater accountability and faster resolution of long-standing student welfare problems at Nagpur University.
