AISF to visit welfare hostels across State from September 21 to 28

The All India Students' Federation (AISF) State Committee announced a statewide visit to welfare hostels for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), minority, Gurukul, and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) students from September 21 to 28. At a press conference, the federation's State General Secretary, B. Naserji, expressed concerns over the challenges faced by students residing in these hostels.

Despite the government's announcement of a comprehensive menu, Naserji accused the authorities of failing to raise mess charges in line with the increasing costs of essential commodities. He highlighted several welfare hostels lacking basic facilities, such as windows, fans, lights, and compound walls, and noted that students were not provided with trunks and blankets even as the academic year started.

The federation leader pointed out that some girls' hostels did not have watchmen, citing a recent observation from the State High Court regarding issues in welfare hostels. Naserji reported over 30 instances where students from welfare hostels were admitted to hospitals. He demanded the immediate release of pending mess and cosmetic charges and their revision to reflect current prices of essential commodities.

He also called for the supply of fine-quality rice to students staying in welfare hostels. AISF State Vice-President Sai Kumar, Vijayawada City President Jagadeesh, Secretary Ranjith, and other leaders attended the press conference.