Ducsu leaders stage sit-in over alleged move to halt bus service on Saturdays

Leaders of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) staged a sit-in programme this evening (7 May), alleging that the treasurer of Dhaka University had recommended suspending bus trips on Saturdays despite fresh funding being secured for the transport sector.

The protest took place in front of the university's Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban while a meeting of the university syndicate was underway inside.

Ducsu leaders claimed they had managed to secure Tk4.5 crore in funding from the University Grants Commission (UGC) for the university's transport sector, but alleged that the treasurer still moved to block Saturday bus services.

They said the demonstration would continue until a decision was reached at the syndicate meeting.

Speaking at the programme, Ducsu transport secretary Asif Abdullah said operating bus trips on Saturdays had long been a demand of students.

"Even after we secured Tk4.5 crore in funding from the UGC for the transport sector, the treasurer moved to halt Saturday trips," he said.

"We arranged the budget for two years, but he is asking what will happen after that. Although the Ducsu tenure is only one year, we still managed to secure additional funding for two years," he added.

Responding to the allegations, DU treasurer Professor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told The Business Standard that the university already provides subsidies beyond its allocated transport budget.

"Once a service is introduced at Dhaka University, it is generally not withdrawn. So even if funding is arranged for two years, the university could face difficulties later if the government stops providing the fund," he said.

He also said the treasurer alone has no authority to make such decisions, rejecting the allegations made by the protesting students.