The Lucknow University (LU) has imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on a BA second year student for having meal at the central mess for nearly two months without paying a bill, said proctor Vinod Singh.
The student was asked to submit an affidavit on Rs 100 stamp paper declaring that he will not eat in the central mess without making payment, he said. For two months, he had meal by writing name of different students and had meal without paying a penny, proctor said.
The student Ayush Singh, who is a day scholar, would regularly go to the central mess and had meal. As per rules, only hostelers are allowed to take meals in the central mess on monthly payment basis. The proctor said he had information that the student in question had been frequently taking meals in the central mess under fake names in the register.
Proctor said entire day meal costs Rs 104. “We calculated the number of days he had meal at the mess in disguise of other students. It came to close to Rs 10,000. We doubled the fine and it went upto Rs 20,000. As a deterrent to discipline other students we decided to impose fine,” Singh said.
University students are now demanding official to waive off his penalty. “He has apologised and if the authorities wanted, they could have asked him to pay for the meal. Asking him to pay Rs 20,000 is unfair because one eats only when one is hungry. Ayush did not take away anything from the university,” said a group of students, who are supporting Ayush.
Ayush Singh had apologised and said that he was feeling very hungry and, therefore, had the meal. He also promised not to break the rules in future,” said proctor. The university is now thinking to waive off the penalty because it will be taxing for his parents who will ultimately have to foot the bill.
When contacted Ayush Singh said he has tendered an unconditional apology before vie chancellor SP Singh who has pardoned him and also exempted the fine. “I am really sorry for my mistake. I will never repeat such thing in future,” he said.
