KARTIK SAHU
Kataka: Students in Kataka staged a protest demanding a reduction in the annual membership fee of the newly constructed Biswanath Pandit Central Library at Badambadi.
The annual library membership fee, which was earlier Rs 100, has been increased to Rs 2,900 even before the modern library has been opened.
The sharp hike has sparked strong resentment among students.
The students staged a sit-in in front of KMC’s Biju Bhawan office.
Senior advocates Manoranjan Mohanty and Shail Apa extended their support to the protesters.
They reportedly held discussions with the KMC commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota and Mayor Subash Singh in an effort to resolve the issue.
The protesting students said they would continue their agitation until the authorities give an assurance to reduce the membership fee.
They said the hike in the annual library membership fee will put a financial burden on students from middle-class and economically disadvantaged families, particularly those preparing for competitive examinations.
They demanded that the library fee be reduced to make it affordable and reasonable for students.
The students demanded that genuine students and readers who have been regularly using the library for a long time be given priority during registration.
They also urged the authorities to complete construction of the new library building at the earliest and open it to students with adequate seating facilities.