Price of daily meals at Jahangirnagar University (JU) canteens and cafeteria has been increased by around 40 per cent, taking the advantage of the arrival of large number admission seekers.
Apart from the sudden hike in the prices, the authorities are supplying 'unhygienic' and 'poor quality' food items, students and admission seekers alleged.
Moreover, shopkeepers and hotels, operating on the university campus under private initiative, also raised the price of food items, they alleged.
A good number of applicants and the university students told the FE that they frequently become sick by taking foods items, especially from different stalls.
A visit to some canteens and shops revealed that, the food prices were hiked by 10 to 50 per cent in the food shops across the Bottola, Central Cafeteria and in the hall canteens ahead of the admission test.
Before the test, food items which were available at Tk 25 to Tk 40. These items are being sold at Tk 35 to Tk 60 at the JU cafeteria and the canteens, sources said.
Journalism and Media Studies department's third year student Tanjin Ahmed said, "The authorities increase of the price of the food items ahead of the university's admission test every year, which creates an extra pressure to the campus students as also the admission seekers."
Responding on the price hike JU central cafeteria assistant director Sanowar Hossain said, "Regrettably, the JU authorities have increased the price of different food items."
He said that they have nothing to do about this price hike as they are the only officials of the university."
JU acting Vice-chancellor (VC) Prof MA Matin said, "Nobody informed me about the matter."
However, the vice chancellor assured of taking necessary action against the unscrupulous traders after having discussions with the related people.
