Haven’t received any proposal for grant from JNU: UGC

Terming the varsity claims “factually incorrect", the UGC said it had released INR 14 crore for renovation and repair work of JNU hostels on June 24, 2022. 

A day after Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) stated that it had sent a proposal to the University Grants Commission (UGC) requesting it to sanction INR 56 crore grant for hostel repairs in September last year, the commission termed the varsity claims “factually incorrect". 

The UGC clarified it had not received any such proposal for approval and confirmed that it had released INR 14 crore for renovation and repair work of JNU hostels on June 24, 2022.  The UGC said in the statement, “UGC released INR 14 crore to JNU on 24th June, 2022 for structural repair and renovation/upgradation works. Thereafter, UGC has not received any such proposal from JNU for approval of the Standing Committee as per terms and conditions of the UGC sanction letter dated 16.06.2022.” 

The university said on Monday that the first instalment of Rs 14 crore has been released, adding that the repair work will be carried out in two phases. 

JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit said, “The UGC will give INR 56 crore in two years. It has divided the money into four instalments. The first instalment has come to us just this month which is of INR 14 crore. Immediately after that, we had the building and works committee meeting.” The administration has decided to start the repair work from the Sabarmati hostel, he added. 

Repair work to be done in phases 

As per a circular issued by JNU, in the first phase, structural water proofing in Brahmaputra Hostel is being done rogress and likely to be completed by October 31. The repair work in Ganga, Kaveri, and Periyar Hostel has been awarded and work is likely to start within a week. Estimate renovation of kitchen and dinning hall of Sabarmati hostel has already been approved. The tender is being called and work is likely to be started by the first week of November. 

The circular read, “In the second phase, structural repair of Sabarmati, Narmada, Sutlej, and Jhelum hostels will begin. Renovation of dining and kitchen for Ganga, Kaveri, Periyar, Jhelum, Narmada, Mahi & Mandvi, Tapti, Lohit, and Chandrabhaga hostels and renovation of toilets for Ganga, Kaveri, Periyar, Jhelum, Narmada, Mahi & Mandvi, Tapti, Lohit, and Chandrabhaga hostels will also be done during the second phase.” 

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