DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Jan 9: Describing the ongoing protests by students against fee raise as illegal, Gomal University vice-chancellor Dr Mansoor Akbar Kundi has said that 10 per cent increase in the fee is in accordance with the directive of the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

Speaking to media persons here on Monday, Dr Kundi said that the varsity administration would not bow down to the students' pressure and take action against those responsible for creating disturbance in the campus.

He claimed that Gomal University had still the lowest fee charges and that majority of the students were in favour of the administration's decision and didn't participate in the protest. He said that the situation was under control and he knew that some insiders with vested interests were pushing the issue.

The VC said that the administration was monitoring the situation and nobody would be allowed to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the university. He claimed that in past the administration would keep 50 per cent of the budget in banks and most of sanctioned posts vacant. Thus a way for misappropriation of public money and illegal appointments was created in the university, he said.

He clarified that neither the USAID nor any other donor agency had provided the GU with financial assistance for scholarships or any other purpose. The VC claimed that the administration was using resources on the betterment of students. He said that a few new buses had been bought to resolve transport problem of the students.

Mr Kundi said that the HEC had approved the distance education system before its launch. He said that several projects would be initiated soon to improve standard of the varsity.-Correspondent