A year after a canteen was opened on the Marina campus of the University of Madras following students’ demand, it was closed down recently, ironically owing to protests from the students.
In February last, students staged protests for several days demanding better amenities, including water supply in toilets, drinking water cans in departments and a canteen. Since they refused to relent, the V-C agreed to the demands.
The canteen was set up on a piece of land measuring 5,000 sq ft, but did not have the approval of the university’s statutory bodies, including the Senate and the Syndicate. During the last Senate meeting, held on March 26, the professors wanted to know why no tender was issued for canteen, as was the norm for government projects.
“The canteen became functional only after March 15 though the foundation stone states that it was opened in February on the Chief Minister’s birthday,” said V. Anbazhagan, a student. “What we sought for was quality food. Food supplied in the canteen was poor. The canteens at Alagappa University and Anna University provide better fare. There was no place to sit and students would buy food and spread out, adding to the litter,” he added.
Students protested against the poor amenities at the canteen and also the poor quality of food and, a couple of days after the Senate meeting, the canteen stopped functioning.
