IIT Madras students miffed over hike in mess fees during lockdown, lack of fresh greens in menu – EdexLive

On April 16, the IIT Madras administration had sent an email to its students who are staying back in the hostels during the lockdown, informing them that their mess fees were hiked by Rs 35 per day, which will require each of them to pay an extra Rs 1,050 per month for their food expenses. The students, unhappy with the administration’s decision have raised their voice, asking it to rollback the hike. They also allege that since the beginning of the lockdown, most of the food items have disappeared from their previous menu.

“In order to cater to students who got held up due to lockdown, a committee had negotoated with M/s Sakthi’s Kitchen who agreed to operate on the existing terms and conditions but at a daily rate of Rs 147 per student, considering the current situation and sudden price hike of commodities, especially green vegetables, pulses etc.,” reads an email sent by institute’s Office of the Hostel Management Chairman. The price used to be Rs 112 per student per day, previously.

The students, however, say that they haven’t had green vegetables, fruits or cornflakes on their menu since the lockdown began. Around 300 students are living in the IIT hostels right now. “We are not being provided any fresh fruits, eggs or good quality vegetables. I do not understand if the menu has already been curtailed, what is this hike for? We understand that the current situation is very unfortunate and thus appreciate that the caterers are serving us food, even if it isn’t of optimal nutrition. But, our condition should also be considered by the authorities,” a student wrote to the administration.

“They should have informed us about the hike beforehand and not three weeks after the caterers started serving the food,” says another student. 

We have contacted the institute for a comment on the same. This story will be updated when they respond.