Students suffer as hall authorities raise meal price in Ramzan

Md Moniruzzaman :
Alomgir Hossain, a residential student of Surja Sen Hall of Dhaka University, has posted at the social media group of the university with a photo of canteen’s foods catalogue saying that how much more we have to spend with this situation! ‘We want to live’.
Not only Alomgir, but all the Dhaka University dormitories’ students are facing difficulties as the canteen foods prices of the university hall have increased by at least 40 percent within one day at the beginning of the holy Ramzan.
In hall canteens, food prices have raised nearly 40-45 percent after starting the Ramzan. Such is the predicament of the residential students, most of whom are from middle and lower-middle-class families.
On the beginning day of Ramzan, while visiting the Halls of the
university, it was seen that the price of items have risen by Tk 35-55 to Tk 60-90. One fish piece is sold at TK 60-70 including rice that was one day earlier Tk 40-50.
Besides, the chicken is sold at Tk 70, beef is at Tk 80-90 which were before Ramzan Tk 45 and Tk 50-55 relatively.
Life is tough for the students during Ramzan and they are also agitated on the DU authority for failing to control the food prices.
The students said that the quality of foods is so bad that it is difficult to eat and fasting. The prices of food increase around 40 percent but the quality and the quantity have improved only a little.
Students complained that although the prices have arisen but the food quality has not increased.
Tajul Islam, residential student of Kabi Jasimuddin Hall said, “The food qualities are not better at any Hall canteens but prices are high. I am forced to start skipping meals to keep up with the price hike”.
Prof Mohammad Moqbul Hossain Bhuiyan, Provost of Surja Sen Hall, said on Friday, “We visited the canteen last night and we will sit soon (yesterday) in this concern with canteen and food stalls’ managers.”
DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Akhteruzzaman however tried to ignore the prices hike with big amount of the canteen food.
Later he said, “There is no scope to raise the price of anything unreasonably. The price of foods may increase in proportion to the increased prices of essential commodities. The canteens are being monitored regularly. We have Provost Standing Committee meeting. We will look into the matter.”