Reserve Seats for JnU Bus Committee, Transport Sector Dominated by Committee Influence

 JnU Correspondent:

Dissatisfaction among general students is increasing over the activities of the bus committees in the transport management of Jagannath University (JnU). Students have said that an uncomfortable situation has been created in the transport system due to keeping separate seats in different buses in the name of the committee, introducing rules according to their own will, and misbehaving with students.

It is learnt that the administration had previously taken a ‘zero tolerance’ stance on the issue due to various complications, harassment of students and unpleasant incidents surrounding bus committees. Even then, although there were informal committee activities on some buses, they were limited. However, after the JnUCSU election, activities to form new committees on different buses have started again.

According to information provided by the concerned persons, the pads of these bus committees bear the signatures of JnUCSU Transport Secretary Mahid and the university’s Transport Administrator Professor Dr. Tarek Bin Atiq. For this reason, students said that committee members are presenting their activities as administratively approved.

Separate Seats for the Committee:

The issue of reserving specific seats for committee members on several university buses has come to light. According to students, even if the seats remain vacant, when someone tries to sit there, they are told, “This is the committee’s seat.” As a result, many students have to travel standing even during times of seat shortage.

In some buses, incidents of occupying seats in advance by placing notebooks, pens, pencils and various other items have also been observed. This has created anger among general students.

A student wishing to remain anonymous said, “Seeing the dominance of the bus committee on the university bus, it seems that they are more powerful inside the bus than even the university Vice-Chancellor. There is no opportunity to say anything to them. Even if the seats are vacant, we are not allowed to sit. We are told that these seats are allocated for the committee.”

He further said, “Even though we juniors get on the bus first, sometimes we cannot sit despite the seats being vacant. A situation is also created where we are told that we will not be allowed to get on the bus if we do not follow their rules.”

Self-Made Rules and Smoking:

It has been learnt that some members of the bus committees are making their own rules and imposing them on students. Many students do not directly protest against these rules for fear of facing unpleasant situations.

Meanwhile, the issue of smoking by several persons associated with the committee during bus journeys has also come to light. Although this makes other students uncomfortable, many remain silent due to fear of being harassed later if they protest.

A student wishing to remain anonymous said, “Smoking on the bus causes problems for many of us. But if we protest, we may face various problems on the bus later. That is why many remain silent.”

Regarding these issues, JnUCSU Transport Secretary Mahid said, “There are no vacant seats on most of the university buses. The rule of first come, first served is followed. Due to junior-senior relationships, if someone stands, there is no scope to consider that as a seat designated for the committee. If there is any problem regarding a committee, students can submit complaints without revealing their names.”

University Transport Administrator Professor Dr. Tarek Bin Atiq said, “There is no rule for allocating separate seats for the committee on buses. Whoever comes first will sit first. The practice of occupying seats by keeping notebooks, pens or pencils will also be stopped. The buses will be opened five minutes before departure.”

Regarding smoking, he said, “An instruction will be issued tomorrow to stop smoking on buses. After that, strict action will be taken if anyone smokes on the bus.”

Mentioning that the administration has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards ragging, he said, “If any incident of ragging is found, appropriate action will be taken. If necessary, action will be taken through the Proctorial Board. Similarly, if it is proven that any student has been harassed on the bus or that seats have been reserved in advance for the committee, administrative and legal action will also be taken against the concerned bus committee.”

Students believe that the university’s transport system should ensure equal opportunities for everyone instead of remaining under the control of any individual or committee. At the same time, they want effective administrative monitoring to ensure seat management, committee activities and student safety