Mysuru: Karnataka MLC K Shivakumar has urged the state government to reconsider its decision to stop grants for food expenses of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students staying in hostels under the University of Mysore (UoM).
In a letter to Social Welfare Minister K H Muniyappa, Shivakumar sought the immediate release of pending funds and continuation of the food allowance for the academic year 2026–27. He expressed concern that discontinuing the financial assistance would place an additional burden on economically disadvantaged students who depend on hostel facilities for their education.
The MLC has also called for a review of the existing funding mechanism, settlement of pending bills and revision of the monthly food allowance to reflect rising market prices.
Food allowance supports 2,100 students
Around 2,100 SC/ST students reside in 15 hostels operated under the University of Mysore. The food funding arrangement plays an important role in supporting students from economically weaker backgrounds.
Under the earlier arrangement, the monthly food expenditure was Rs 2,050 per student. The Social Welfare Department contributed Rs 1,250 as food allowance, while the University of Mysore provided Rs 600 per student. The remaining amount was managed through the university’s administrative system.
The reported suspension of government assistance has raised concerns about how hostel food expenses will be met and whether students could face disruptions to their meals.
According to Shivakumar, the hostel system requires around Rs 2.30 crore to sustain its food arrangements. He has urged the government to ensure that eligible students do not suffer because of delays or administrative complications in the release of funds.
MLC seeks immediate release of pending funds
Shivakumar has demanded that the government verify and settle all outstanding food expense bills relating to eligible SC/ST students.
He has also called for alternative financial arrangements if the existing budget provision is no longer available.
“If the current budget head has expired, sanction the required funds under an alternative budget head,” the MLC said in his letter.
He further urged the government to revise the monthly food allowance in line with prevailing market prices, arguing that the existing amount should be reviewed to account for inflation and the rising cost of food.
Shivakumar stressed that students should not be deprived of food assistance because of technical issues related to budget allocations or administrative procedures.
“Instruct the officials not to stop food abruptly, under the pretext of technical budget heads or administrative reasons,” he demanded.
Seeks extension of scheme to all state universities
Beyond addressing the immediate concerns at the University of Mysore, Shivakumar has called for the food funding framework to be extended to SC/ST students studying at all state universities across Karnataka.
He said a broader policy would help provide consistent support to eligible students and reduce the likelihood of similar funding disputes at other institutions.
The MLC has also proposed a joint meeting involving officials from the Social Welfare Department, the University of Mysore and the Directorate of Student Welfare to identify a permanent solution.
“Extend the food funding framework to SC/ST students studying in all state universities, across Karnataka. Convene a joint meeting of officials of the Social Welfare department, UoM, and Directorate of Student Welfare to find a permanent resolution to this issue,” Shivakumar said.
The proposed meeting would bring the departments and university authorities together to examine pending payments, budget provisions and the future structure of the assistance programme.
Focus on uninterrupted support for students
The issue highlights the importance of financial assistance in ensuring that students from disadvantaged backgrounds can continue their education without facing additional financial pressure.
For students living in university hostels, food allowances help meet a basic daily requirement while reducing the burden on their families. Any interruption in funding could create difficulties for students who depend on the scheme.
Shivakumar has therefore asked the government to act on the pending payments and ensure that the food assistance continues during the 2026–27 academic year.
The demands include clearing outstanding bills, revising the allowance to reflect inflation, providing alternative budget allocations where necessary and establishing a sustainable funding mechanism for SC/ST students across state universities.
The state government’s response to the request will be important in determining how the food expenses of eligible students at the University of Mysore are supported in the coming academic year.