KOLKATA: A free vaccination drive will start in higher education institutions of Kolkata very soon but several of their authorities are not sure whether all their outstation students will be able to take the shot on campus.
Since hostels are shut and travelling still remains restricted, many will not be able to turn up, they feared.
Even though there is a provision in government notice for students from districts who may take the shot at some specified local centres, nothing has been mentioned about students from other states.
The state has set a deadline of October 8 to complete the vaccination drive among students of college and universities across Bengal, before Puja vacation starts. The higher education department has asked all colleges and universities to submit a list of willing students who need the first or the second dose.
Jadavpur University has generated a new Google form for students where they have been asked to inform if they wish to take the vaccine on campus or not. Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association (JUTA) general secretary Partha Pratim Roy said, “Many students are from different districts who may not be able to come to Kolkata to take the jab on campus. We want to list out the exact data of students who will take the first and second doses on campus. Students have to reply by Monday night.” Engineering student and member of FETSU Aritra Majumdar said, “We have organized a unified movement and hope it works”.
Calcutta University has listed 1,600 PG students who need the first dose and 2,800 who need the second.
According to the Presidency University’s student’s body, 44% of the total strength wishes to take jabs on campus. Adrija Karak, a member of Presidency Student’s Union, said, “We are concerned about students from districts and other states.”
Scottish Church College principal Madhumanjari Mandal said, “All the hostels are closed now and outstation students may not be able to come for free jabs.”
