Udupi MLA Demands Immediate Reopening of Hostels

Mangaluru: Activists and politicians have raised their voice against the delay in reopening social welfare and backward-class hostels.

Udupi MLA Yashpal A. Suvarna has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Social Welfare Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, and Backward Class Development Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi to expedite the admission process for OBC, SC-ST, and government hostels. This delay is causing accommodation issues for thousands of students who have already enrolled in colleges in the Udupi district.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Suvarna highlighted that despite schools and colleges having started 15 days ago, the process of accepting hostel applications has not begun.

"Students who have secured admissions are currently without boarding facilities and are forced to stay at home," he stated, pressing the government to accelerate the application process and provide hostel accommodations to eligible students.

The Jaya Karnataka Rakshana Sena's Yadagiri district unit has echoed similar concerns.

Hunasagi Taluk president Mallikarjun A. Malipatil submitted a memorandum to the state government through the deputy commissioner's office, noting that though the students were required to attend school from May 31, hostels operated by the Social Welfare and Backward Class departments have not yet opened even after 15 days.

He pointed out that Yadgir district consistently ranks lowest in SSLC and PUC results. While multiple factors contribute to this, the delayed reopening of hostels could exacerbate the problem.

He warned of district-level protests if hostels do not reopen within two days.