Stiff price rise hits outstation students in Bhubaneswar

BHUBANESWAR: Many outstation students, who recently returned to the capital after reduction of Covid-19 cases to prepare for various competitive exams, are finding it difficult to manage their daily living amid stiff rise in food, accommodation and fuel prices. They are forced to cut down on consumption of milk, LPG, and other essentials.
“Earlier, I used to commute on a bike, but these days, I mostly use my bi-cycle. The prices of all essential items have increased significantly, which disturbs my budget. I do not feel comfortable asking for money from my parents as I am unsure how long the preparation period would continue,” said Amiya Ranjan Pani, a banking service aspirant.
Following Class XII exams, hundreds of students from across Odisha come to the capital to prepare for various competitive exams in coaching centres.
Many of them stay in private hostels or rented accommodations and depend on small eateries for food.
Sambit Sahu, an engineering graduate, who has been preparing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) exam, said his monthly expense has increased by Rs 2,000 due to the inflation.
“My landlord increased the monthly rent by Rs 500, while my daily expense on food has increased from Rs 150 to Rs 250 in the past few months. I used to spend Rs 1,500 monthly for fuel. Now I spend around Rs 2,200 for transportation. I switch to vegetarian diet for most of the days to manage my budget. Often I skip my breakfast,” Sahu added.
A section of students said the owners of private hostels have increased the monthly charge of a bed from Rs 2,300 to Rs 3,000. Hostels that provide two meals a day are charging Rs 4,500.
“The prices of all essential food items like rice, edible oil, milk and spices have increased substantially. Besides, the charges of cooks and helper have also increased. Therefore, we are bound to increase the monthly fees as we reopened after the Covid-19 pandemic. Many seats are lying vacant and we are making very little or no profit,” said Satya Narayan Parida, a hostel owner in Saheed Nagar.
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