Chandigarh, December 21: As part of the nationwide protest, research scholars at Panjab University (PU) took out a march, demanding hike in the fellowship amount being disbursed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Research scholars say since 2014, there has been no increase in the fellowship amount. They are demanding that Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) should get Rs 50,000 and Senior Research Fellows (SRFs) should get Rs 55,000. At present, the JRFs are getting Rs 25,000 and SRFs are getting Rs 28,000.
The protest was held under the banner of the Panjab University Research Scholars Association (PURSA). The protesting scholars marched from the Department of Chemistry and reached the Student Centre, raising slogans against the “attitude” of the MHRD and the UGC.
Students criticised the authorities concerned for not increasing the scholarship amount on a par with the 7th Pay Commission. Apart from hike in fellowship amount, non-NET fellowships and ‘fellowship for all’ were demanded.
Vijay Kumar from the All-India Students Association (AISA) said: “The demand for the hike in fellowship amount by research scholars should be fulfilled as they work for longer hours in their laboratories and departments, but they are getting very less stipend.”
Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) president Kanupriya supported the research scholars.
Later, research scholars of the PGIMER and the PU protested outside the bio-medical science (BMS) block in Sector 25 campus of the university.
