BHOPAL: Research scholars of Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) have decided to meet the director to express their displeasure over the restrictions laid on them. They will also call on Member of Parliament Pragya Thakur, if their demands were not met, said research scholar Manoj Diwakar.

“Covid pandemic has laid its adverse impact on the research scholars as well. In addition, MANIT administration is imposing additional rules that are hampering their research work,” said one of the research scholars, Manoj Diwakar.

Research scholars are demanding that they should be allowed to get their papers published in Scopus Indexed Research Journal also while MANIT administration has removed the name of it, said Diwakar. Without publication of research papers, a doctorate degree is not awarded, he added.

An additional time of one- and -half- year should be given to research scholars who have completed their five years of tenure in research, considering covid-induced situations. They should be given stipends for this period, demanded research scholars.

Exemption should be given in tuition fee to SC/ST research scholars, as per rule but MANIT is violating these norms.

One of the scholars said that MANIT administration has not released the HRA (House Rent Allowance) of scholars on frivolous grounds. “Now the administration has agreed to release the HRA but they are adamant on giving its arrears,” said the representative of research scholars.

These scholars will meet the director on Monday to put forward their demands. If the demand remains unheard then we will meet the Lok Sabha MP Pragya Thakur and demand help from her, said Diwakar.

Published on: Sunday, September 26, 2021, 11:03 PM IST