Student Center has huge debt to the Tax Administration

The problems in the operations of the Public Institution Student Center were discussed today by the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Education, Science and Youth Elvir Kazazović, and Member of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly Mario Vukasović with the director of this institution, Emir Kadić, reports the Patria News Agency.

This institution is owed close to two million KM by the canton and the Federal government for subsidizing student accommodation and meals in dormitories, and most institutions that subsidize their stay have not settled their obligations from last year, nor for the first four months of this year.

- For years we have had problems with irregular payments from the canton and their irresponsible attitude towards us. They know how much energy is consumed during the year and that we have to pay for everything so as not to be left without electricity, gas, water, however, they don't seem to care, explained Kadić, adding that they owe about 88,000 KM for electricity and have to pay late fees.

He emphasized that this situation also affects the employees of the Student Center, whose salaries are late for months and who, unfortunately, cannot even get their health insurance cards validated.

During the meeting, it was pointed out that the Student Center has huge debts to the Federal Tax Administration, but which, in the opinion of Minister Kazazović, can be resolved.

- This student center has property, namely a building in Vrace, which is currently used by the private educational institution Turkish-Bosnian Sarajevo College. Their contract is signed until the beginning of 2017, so a debt reprogramming agreement could be signed with the tax administration, or a mortgage loan could be raised based on the aforementioned property, proposed Minister Kazazović, adding that he will soon organize a meeting with representatives of this administration to resolve this debt.

All participants of the meeting agreed that it is very important to pass the Law on Student Standard as soon as possible, which would provide better accommodation, meals, transportation, and the right to work for the student population.

- Passing this law, which would regulate the rights and interests of around 40,000 students studying at the University of Sarajevo and several private faculties, is one of the priorities in the work of the Government of Sarajevo Canton during this mandate, emphasized Prime Minister Konaković.

Minister Kazazović informed those present that this institution will soon get a Management Board and a Supervisory Board, whose members' mandates expired on January 30 this year.

After the meeting, Prime Minister Konaković, Minister Kazazović, and Member of Parliament Vukasović, together with Director Kadić, visited the Center's kitchen and the renovation and reconstruction works being carried out on Pavilion Two of the Bjelave student dormitory, for which the Government of Sarajevo Canton allocated funds. The newly adapted facility will have about 99 beds, it was announced from the KS Government.