When lawmakers entered the university hostel…

Kirtipur – Lawmakers have directed officials of Tribhuvan University, Nepal’s oldest and largest university, to promptly address the poor sanitation and basic management conditions at the central campus dormitory in Kirtipur. This instruction came after witnessing substandard conditions during a recent inspection.

A Parliamentary committee from the Industry, Commerce, Labor, and Consumer Welfare Committee, including lawmakers Abdul Khan, Kantika Sejuwal, Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, Rekha Yadav, Surya Man Dong, Ranendra Baraili, Rukmani Rana Baraili, Sita Mizar, Sapana Rajbhandari, Mangal Prasad Gupta, and Dr. Ishwar Subedi from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, visited the Ishwari Girls’ Hostel, specifically Block ‘G’, on Thursday afternoon. They reviewed the kitchen and water management situation there.

This visit marks what is possibly the first time a parliamentary team has monitored the dormitory arrangements at the university. Students showed the team the dire conditions of the kitchen, pointing out how extremely dirty cooking utensils were, along with very poor sanitation of the kitchen area, tables, and chairs.

The students complained that repeated grievances to the principal’s office, the Free Student Union, and other relevant bodies were ignored. They also reported being met with rude remarks and threats by some dormitory officials, including the warden.

Sabina Regmi, an MSc third-semester student, shared with the lawmakers the struggles they face due to the inadequate water supply. She mentioned that even when they bring up kitchen issues, the warden dismisses them with a curt response, suggesting that since they’re staying in a government hostel, they must make do with what’s available.

The university officials have shown insensitivity to the necessity of clean water and sanitation, especially in the girls’ dormitory, according to the students. Rohana Joshi, another student, stated that the water was not only scarce but often murky, causing significant hardship, especially during their menstrual periods.

Joshi further explained that when emergency repairs are needed, they are told that government processes take time, leading to instances where students pool resources themselves to fix issues like electrical faults.

After hearing the complaints, the parliamentary team questioned Central Campus Principal Akaldev Mishra and Proctor Rajendra Kuwar regarding these problems. Lawmakers highlighted that their observations showed the dormitory fails to meet even the basic standards of cleanliness and health safety.

Committee Chairperson Abdul Khan remarked that it is unfortunate to see such conditions in a prestigious institution like Tribhuvan University’s central campus. He added that depriving students of clean water and basic sanitation amounts to a human rights violation.

Dr. Ishwar Subedi from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control emphasized the critical need for food safety at the hostel. He mentioned collecting a sample of the water used there for a quality check at the department. He warned that if similar complaints are received again, the committee would take further action.

Deepak Raj Joshi, the president of the University’s Student Union, commented on the tendency of university officials to ignore student issues raised politely, only acting under pressure, leading to escalating challenges.

He cited an example where their request for better toilet facilities went unheard until they closed the principal’s office toilet, after which their demands were finally addressed.