DU academics oppose Delhi Govt’s proposal on college funding; action against principals

Delhi Govt has also sought action against principals of 12 colleges funded by the state government.

Delhi University academicians have opposed the Delhi Government’s proposal to prepare a budget on the basis of net deficit. In its letter sent to DU Vice Chancellor. The Directorate of Training and Technical Education (DTTE) has also sought action against principals of 12 colleges for violating central civil service rules.

Principals and teachers of the university have opposed the move and have stated that the move suggested by the state government will cause a steep fee-hike and erect a financial barrier to keep students of marginalized sections away.

The DTTE in its letter sent to the DU vice-chancellor has complained that 12 colleges funded by the state government were not complying with the conditions required for grant approval. According to the letter, the colleges are required to prepare their budget for grants. The letter went on to state that principals of these colleges were inciting teachers and has sought action against them.

In response to the letter, Delhi University VC has sent a letter to principals of the 12 colleges seeking a response from them.

Fund cut will lead to fee hike

An association of Delhi University teachers, Academics for Action and Development (AAD) has stated that the letter of Delhi Government dictates these colleges to prepare the budget for the grant on net deficit basis, which shifts the burden on the colleges to generate funds from the internal resources - i.e. collecting funds from students' fees in the operational term.

This letter from DTTE also demands to impose section 9 of CCS Rules, which is not applicable to DU. “Forwarding such a letter from the Delhi Government with serious policy- and service conditions- implications, without the approval of the statutory bodies of AC and EC, is an attempt to reduce the university to be a mere post office, which must be resisted,” states AAD in a statement.

‘Lack of Transparency’

Defending the Delhi government’s decision, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Atishi, who is also chairperson of the standing committee on education (Delhi Vidhan Sabha), in a statement said: “On one hand, the colleges do not fulfil the basic process and on the other, they turn around and say that the Delhi Government is not giving funds. It is beyond comprehension as to why the Utilisation Certificates are delayed and why do the colleges blame the Delhi Government when the delay is on their end?”

She also said that it is paramount to understand the reason behind the lack of transparency in these colleges that they do not want to explain where funds have been utilised. At the same time, it is concerning that the principals, while being party to the delay on the end of the colleges, incite the teachers by spreading lies about the Delhi Government not releasing funds.

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