12 State Government-Funded DU Colleges have been demanding a change in the pattern of assistance in the releasing of their funds. In the same regard, DU Administration wrote to Delhi Governent demanding that the government cannot change the pattern of assistance for the colleges that are bound to follow the UGC norms in this matter.
On March 15th, the administration of the University of Delhi wrote to the government demanding that the government cannot change the pattern of assistance for releasing funds of its 12 fully funded colleges for they are bound to follow the University Grants Commission (UGC) norms in matters of budgeting and expenditure. The move comes in just a day before Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to meet the principals of the 12 colleges. The principals have been asked to produce details of appointments, and surplus funds available with them.
This battle for funds of these 12 state government-funded colleges with the Delhi government has been brewing for quite some time now with the colleges alleging that either the government had delayed the release of funds or provided “insufficient” funds. In its defence, the government alleged financial irregularities in these colleges claiming they had surplus reserves.
Two days prior to the move, a resolution was passed by the governing bodies of two of these colleges, Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and the Sports Sciences, and Maharishi Valmiki College of Education, stating that the release of grant-in-aid from the government will be carried out as per the pattern of assistance suggested by the Delhi Government, and not that of the UGC.
In the same regard, countering the move, DU registrar Vikas Gupta said the Delhi government cannot change the pattern of assistance.
These colleges were established as per the norms of the UGC in 1997. All these years, the government has been providing funds to these colleges in line with the UGC norms. Now, they are saying they will decide their own assistance pattern… Also, college governing bodies cannot decide this matter on their own — they work under the control and supervision of the DU’s executive council. They are bound to follow the rules and regulations as prescribed by the executive council.
-DU Registrar, Vikas Gupta
Last December, the Executive Council passed a resolution in accordance to which the funds collected under different heads such as college development fund, hostel fund, student society fund, and admission process charges, can only be used for the purposes for which they were collected. However, the resolution passed by the GBs of the two colleges stated that the colleges can use “surplus grant in aid” drawn and available with them for purposes such as salary, allowance and other recurring expenses. It also forbids the colleges from undertaking any activity that entails a financial liability, such as making appointments, without taking prior approval from the Delhi government.
DU Dean of Colleges Balram Pani said the university on Monday wrote to the director,directorate of higher education, raising the issue.
The modification which has been processed by the directorate of higher education on a retrospective basis is against the law and has resulted in unnecessary and uncalled for panic and unrest among the academic fraternity in these colleges. Any attempt to curtail the autonomy and financial independence of these institutions will neither be a constructive step nor legally tenable as it would vitiate the act, statutes, ordinances, and guidelines of the University…
-DU Administration, in its letter to the director, directorate of higher education
DUTA (Delhi University Teachers’ Association), along with students and DUPA (Delhi University Principal Association) took out an “adhikar rally” from the office of DU’s Acting Vice-Chancellor to Delhi CM’s office, after submitting a memorandum with the chief ministers’ office over the alleged crises in these 12 colleges.
Read also: https://dubeat.com/2020/10/du-adds-4000-seats-colleges-struggle-with-funds/
https://dubeat.com/2019/05/du-risks-fund-cuts-mou-still-not-signed/
Featured Image Credits: Hindustan Times
Annanya Chaturvedi
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