ABVP manifesto talks about PG accommodation

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) sought re-election to Delhi University Students’ Union, saying that it will campaign for introduction of Paying Guest Regulation Act, online payment facility for fee submission and effective implementation of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS).

Releasing its manifesto for the forthcoming polls on Tuesday, the RSS-affiliate also accused the debutant Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti’s (CYSS), Aam Aadmi Party’s student wing, of making misleading promises.

“CYSS is spreading rumours that DU doesn’t have WiFi facility for students. There could be issues such as frequent change of WiFi password, but all DU institutions have a functioning WiFi network because of ABVP’s efforts,” said Saket Bahuguna, Delhi State Secretary, at a press conference here.

The AAP’s student outfit refuted ABVP’s claim. Anmol Panwar, Delhi State vice-president of CYSS, said, “Many colleges in DU doesn’t have functional WiFi. In some cases, students have not been given passwords.”

Expressing concern over soaring rents at PG accommodations near DU campuses, Bahuguna said there is an “urgent” need to regulate its functioning.

“A majority of students, especially girls, live in PGs. Currently, the government exercises no regulations over them. Many homeowners start PGs in their building without requiring any mandatory clearance,” he said, alleging that a majority of students living in PGs complain of poorly serviced flats and overcrowding.

The incumbent student party said it will demand online payment facility for depositing examination and college fees for students, if re-elected.

It has also pitched for renaming of Chhatra Marg in DU’s North Campus as “Nirbhaya Marg” – to commemorate the memory of December 16 rape victim.

Assuring effective implementation of CBCS, ABVP in its manifesto said: “A good system like CBCS should be implemented in correct manner so that the students benefit from it. We will also force the university administration to improve the existing infrastructure and appoint permanent faculty so that the system can be effectively implemented.”

The credit based system, one of the biggest announcements by the Human Resource Development Ministry under Smriti Irani, became a contentious issues ever since DU approved its implementation from this year’s academic session.

ABVP this year locked in a triangular contest with its arch-rival Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India and the debutant CYSS. The DUSU elections are scheduled for September 11.