SPPU Appeals for LPG Cylinders Amid Student Food Crisis
The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) administration has formally written to the Pune district collector, urging immediate intervention to secure LPG cylinders for campus facilities. In a letter dispatched by acting registrar Charushila Gayake on Saturday, the university highlighted a severe shortage affecting over 5,000 students residing on campus.
Due to the unavailability of commercial cylinders, several canteens and messes within the university premises have already shut down, with many more on the brink of closure. Gayake has not responded to inquiries from media outlets regarding the escalating situation.
Student Accounts Reveal Drastic Food Reductions
Students have reported significant cutbacks in their meal services. In the refectory and boys' hostel mess, the variety of food items has been sharply reduced. Meanwhile, female hostel residents were served only lentil and rice for lunch starting Friday.
Pranita Udmale, a student, shared her experience: "Even on Saturday night, chapatis were improperly made, and the vegetable sabji was insufficient. For lunch in the girls' hostel, we had to settle for lentil and rice again because the vendor couldn't procure LPG cylinders."
Protests and Administrative Responses
The Students Federation of India (SFI) organized a protest march on Saturday from the refectory to the university's main building, drawing attention to the LPG crisis during the critical March-April examination period. In response, acting registrar Gayake issued a public notice assuring students that intensive efforts are underway to resolve the gas shortage and ensure stable food supply in dining halls.
However, Rahul Sasane, president of the University Student Struggle Action Committee, questioned the transparency of these measures: "The pertinent issue is the lack of clarity on what exact steps the administration has taken. With food variety and quantity dwindling across all messes, what alternatives are being provided?"
Operational Challenges and Proposed Solutions
Abhishek Shinde, an SFI member, detailed the operational struggles: "The boys' hostel mess has cut one vegetable dish from the menu due to LPG shortages. We urge the administration to ensure timely cylinder deliveries for vendors, especially since students cannot return home during exams."
Shivaji Uttarkar, secretary of the Canteen Quality Control Committee, reported that SPPU officials have engaged with the collector's office. "After learning of the mess operators' challenges, the collector instructed distributors to supply two cylinders per facility. With four messes, this totals eight cylinders, which should meet our needs," he explained.
Calls for Strategic Action and Student Support
Abhishek Shelkar, a political science student and committee member, emphasized the need for proactive measures: "The university must collaborate with the Mess and Vigilance Committee to prevent meal-related inconveniences for hostel residents. In case of gas shortages, alternative strategies for providing nutritious food are essential. We continue to advocate for this and encourage students to report any issues to our committee."
The ongoing LPG crisis at SPPU underscores broader logistical challenges in educational institutions, particularly during high-stakes periods like examinations, where student welfare is paramount.
