Kolkata: Campus canteens hike prices to stay afloat – Times of India

KOLKATA: After enduring losses for two years, some college and university canteens in the city have hiked prices of food items to stay afloat, whereas others have decided to stick to pre-pandemic rates to keep their clientele intact. The price rise at Presidency University canteens – Srishti and Puroshottam – prompted Students Council to write to the authority demanding subsidised rates, whereas Jadavpur University has formed a canteen committee to fix standard food rates.
Souren Mallick, general secretary of Presidency University Students Council, said, “Students from different economic backgrounds study in this university, hence the price should be affordable to all. As mess services have not resumed in Eden Hindu Hostel and girls’ hostel, boarders rely on canteens for daily meals.” Owner of Srishti canteen, Rathin Mondal, said, “Price of food items have risen only by Rs 5, even though a hike of Rs 10 was necessary to meet expenses.”
Debabrata Mondal, a boarder at Eden Hindu Hostel, said students are forced to buy food from outside and sometimes depend on canteens. “We spend around Rs 150 for our meals each day,” said Mondal, postgraduate student at Presidency University.
Jadavpur University issued notice asking the canteens to submit rate charts. “The meeting of the canteen committee will take place next week to discuss standardisation of rates of essential items. Moreover, it is necessary to monitor the hygiene and food quality of these canteens and make sure they adhere to Covid protocols,” said Arindam Kumar Sil, member of the committee.
Canteens on JU campus – Milanda’s canteen, Aahar, Suruchi and CET canteen – claimed they have retained the original price and menu, though students say there is a slight increase. “The hot favourites among students at Milanda’s canteen are dhop-er chop, chicken fry and fish fry,” said Krishna Dey, wife of late Milan Kanti Dey, adding, “It’s a challenge to run canteen when everything has become expensive. But I have retained previous prices for students.”
The canteen at Calcutta University, Alipore campus, also hiked its prices by Rs 5 on an average. Before increasing the rates, the opinions of the students, teachers and staffers were taken.
“The negotiation was done keeping in mind the convenience of the students as well as serve the interest of the canteen owner,” said Krishnendu Bhattacharjee, unit observer of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad.