RU Correspondent:

Rajshahi University (RU) students have been complaining for a long time that there is a huge disparity in the price and quality of food in campus shops and halls.

Although the prices have increased, the quality of the food has not improved. Students claim that despite various initiatives of the administration, the problem has not been solved effectively.

Moreover, In 2022, the price of food in the dining halls of Rabi was increased. Lunch price was increased from tk.24 to tk.28 and dinner from tk.18 to tk. 22 Although the prices have increased, students complain that the quality of food remains the same. Pieces of meat or fish are so small that it is not possible to eat enough rice with them. Most of the time students have to eat half-boiled rice. Students are deprived of variety as the same type of food is served every day.

In 2024 starting , the price of lunch meal was fixed at Tk 35 and dinner at Tk 25 to improve food quality. However, this decision was postponed in the face of student protests.

However, Last year in September, the dining catering system was introduced at Syed Ameer Ali Hall and Shah Makhdoom Hall. At Shah Makhdoom Hall, the catering system stopped after a short period, but at Ameer Ali Hall, the system continued. In the catering system, the cost of lunch and dinner is fixed at Rs 35 for resident students and Rs 40 for non-resident students. Tokens must be collected a day in advance to eat in this system.

After the fall of Sheikh Hasina in August, the catering system was introduced in some boys’ halls as well. These include Shah Makhdoom Hall, Motihar Hall, Banga Bandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, and Mother Bakhs Hall.

However, the students complain that although the quality of food is good, the price is getting high. At the end of the month, resident students have to pay an additional 600 taka, and non-resident students have to pay taka 900.

Professor Ruhul Amin told the provost of Shah Makhdoom Hall, “There are some students who would have liked to have food for 50 taka. Now they have to pay 70 taka by increasing 20 taka.” Which is becoming a burden for them. We will talk to the university administration to see if there is any way to resolve this issue.

There is also dissatisfaction among students regarding the quality of food in campus shops. Rotten potatoes, vegetables, and stale food are often served. Moreover, food is cooked in unhealthy conditions in these shops.

On January 22, the university administration fixed the prices of food in the campus shops. It reduces the price of various foods but also reduces the quality and quantity. Moreover, this fixed price list has not been effective for a long time.

University Proctor, Professor Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman said, “We have not taken charge for a long time. We will sit with students and discuss with food stakeholders to ensure the price of food and healthy food.

According to the students, the administration should conduct regular monitoring and take fair action by subsidizing hall food to maintain consistency between the quality and price of food on campus and hall dining.

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