Mangaluru: Activists and politicians have voiced their concerns over the delay in reopening social welfare and backward-class hostels. Udupi MLA Yashpal A. Suvarna has appealed to 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 significant 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 commenced 15 days ago, the process of accepting hostel applications has not yet begun. “Students who have secured admissions are currently without boarding facilities and are forced to stay at home,” he stated, urging the government to accelerate the application process and provide hostel accommodations to eligible students.
Similarly, the Jaya Karnataka Rakshana Sena’s Yadagiri district unit has raised concerns. Hunasagi Taluk president Mallikarjun A. Malipatil submitted a memorandum to the state government through the deputy commissioner’s office, pointing out that though students were required to attend school from May 31, hostels operated by the Social Welfare and Backward Class departments have not yet reopened. He noted that Yadgir district consistently ranks lowest in SSLC and PUC results, and the delayed reopening of hostels could worsen the situation. Malipatil warned of district-level protests if the hostels do not reopen within two days.
