Mangaluru: Dalit activists on Saturday expressed concern over the shortage of hostels for SC/ST students, saying the lack of accommodation has been causing hardship to students from remote areas who come to the city to pursue higher education. At the monthly SC/ST grievances redressal meeting held at the city police commissioner’s office, Dalit activist SP Anand urged the authorities to complete the hostel admission process before schools and colleges reopen. In response to the issue, an official from the social welfare department said a proposal had been submitted to the govt seeking sanction for two separate hostels for boys and girls. Anand said that govt guidelines permit the department to operate hostels in rented buildings when there is a shortage of accommodation and urged the authorities to invoke the provision until permanent facilities are created. The meeting also discussed a range of traffic, civic and law-and-order issues. DCP (Law and Order) Mithun H.N. chaired the meeting.
