Chennai: Tired of students violating its ban on use of cell phone in classrooms, the Anna University, Chennai will start imposing a fine of `10,000 along with seizure of the phone.
Though the ban was already a part of the rule book it remained only on paper. The Guindy College of Engineering has sent a circular recently reiterating that students found using cell phones inside classrooms, labs, offices and labs will be fined.
Speaking to Express, a first-year mechanical engineering student from the campus said that they were warned that in addition to the fine, their mobile phones along with the SIM cards would be seized and returned to them only at the end of their course four years later.
However, sources from the university said that this was primarily an effort to avoid distractions, help them focus better and the fine amount would be handed over to the central admin-istration.
Frequent and sudden checks will be undertaken by the authorities to enforce this rule and usage record will be checked to find the last time the phone was used, sources added.
When the university administration introduced a similar ban in 2005, there was heavy opposition from the students and parents. Subsequently the rule was relaxed and students were allowed to use phones in their hostels and outside classrooms.
Three years later, the university announced that on violation of this rule, students would be suspended for a week.
However the rule got diluted down the line. So, the college this year has added these rules to the handbook given to first year students staying in hostel.
According to this book, violations will be referred to the ‘Students Disciplinary Committee’ whose decision will be final.