Jaundice outbreak: Parmar varsity students stage protest
Agitated over the reported outbreak of jaundice and subsequent failure of administration in providing clean potable water to students in hostels, the students of Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry today staged a “ Dharna” to register their protest against the varsity administration on the campus, on Monday.
The slogan shouting students were demanding providing of clean potable water, maintenance of hostel buildings, proper sanitation system and adequate availability of medicines in varsity’s health centre to prevent the continuous inconvenience to the student community on the varsity campus.
The protesting students alleged that following dilly dallying approach of varsity authorises in handling the situation had reportedly lead to the death of a girl student owing to outbreak of jaundice, recently. Besides, around three dozens students had suffered form jaundice that spread only after the varsity authorities failed to provide clean potable water in hostels.
“We have been continuously complaining to the Student Welfare Officers and other authorities concerning poor sanitation system, non-availability of clean water for the past couple of months but it appears that our requests had fallen on deaf ears,” lamented the students.
They alleged that the authorities instead of initiating Suo moto action to improve the facilities including potable water, proper maintenance of ROs and Aqua Guards, asking the students to give in writing for getting the facilities. They said that the issue had been taken up several times with the SWO and other authorities but no action was being initiated to tide over the crisis.
The supply of contaminated water in hostels further leading to spread of Urine Track Infections (UTI) amongst the students and various other water borne diseases. The concerned authorities instead of taking the remedial measures forcing the sick students to leave the hostels and move to their homes.
The protesting students blocked the main road of the campus and staging the dharna outside the varsity administrative block to lodge their protest. The protesters alleged that broken window panes ere also not being repaired and cracks have also been developed at some places in hostel buildings. The said that moistures in hostel rooms further aggravating their woes as varsity’s administration turning back towards proper upkeep of hostel buildings, since long.
Meanwhile, Solan chief medical officer Dr. Rajan Uppal said that though the university administration has not intimated the health authorities concerning the spread of jaundice and non-availability of medicines but the department would depute a team to look into the issue. Besides, water sample would also be lifted.
University vice chancellor Rajeshwer Chandel was not available for comments, however, varsity spokesman said that candles of the Ros installed in hostels are being changed as per schedule. The other demands of the students were also being fulfilled. Reacting to reported death of girl students, he claimed that girl was suffering from ailments since long and cause of her death could not be attributed owing to outbreak of jaundice on the campus.
