Students' 8 day ultimatum to govt to enforce discount fare

Eight student unions in their ultimatum letter to the government have asked the latter to implement its decision that it made during negotiations with student leaders some times back or they will launch a nation wide transport strike after 8 days to ensure their rights.

The student unions during their parlays with the government have come down to 45 percent discount provision for students on transport fares from their earlier stance of 50 percent, after the government agreed to implement the provisions.

But since the transport workers despite government decision were unwilling to implement the provision, the union leaders warned that the students would launch a transport strike from July 23 if the government failed to ensure discounts by then.

The decision was taken during eight student unions' meeting held at the office of All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary, Monday.

The student unions also condemned the attack on students demonstrating peacefully in different parts of the country including Palpa and Arghakhanchi. Claiming that the transporters had hired goons to attack students and educational institutions, the student unions demanded treatment to the injured and compensation to the vandalized institutions.

A memorandum was submitted to the Minister for Labour and Transport Management by the student unions demanding the implementation of students discount on transportation fares.

ANNISU-R general secretary Himal Sharma said that Minister Ramesh Lekhak had pledged to publish a notice to the transporters to implement the discount provision meant for students.

Meanwhile, the student unions also expressed concern about the delay in the admission of students in the Proficiency Certificate Level in the Tribhuvan University-affiliated colleges. They demanded that TU open admission for the PCL level.