NU’s meagre cooler payout makes exam centres feel the heat Nagpur: As a severe heatwave grips Nagpur and surrounding districts, colleges serving as examination centres under Nagpur University (NU) have voiced strong criticism against the university’s reimbursement rates for coolers installed in exam halls. The latest directive from the university’s examination and evaluation board mandates that centres provide cooling facilities for students, yet the approved reimbursement amounts have been deemed insufficient by college authorities. The university’s circular outlines reimbursement rates of 633.70, 918.54, and 1,216.70 rupees per month, depending on the size of the desert coolers. However, college principals and management representatives argue that these figures are far below the actual rental costs, which exceed 2,000 rupees per month during the summer season. They further highlight that the reimbursement does not account for additional expenses such as transportation, installation, electricity, water supply, and maintenance—costs that surge significantly during peak summer conditions. Colleges have expressed frustration over the financial burden, noting that despite soaring temperatures, institutions are forced to cover most of the costs to ensure minimal comfort for students. The university’s recent announcement allowing exam centres to use advances from the varsity, with subsequent bill submissions, has not alleviated the situation. The heatwave, which has persisted for over a week, has intensified the challenges. University exams are scheduled in the afternoon, from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm, a time when temperatures are at their peak. Students have taken to social media to voice their grievances, citing inadequate facilities and the stress of enduring uncomfortable conditions during exams.#nagpur #exam_centres #heatwave #nagpur_university #coolers
