PhD scholars go without stipend for 2 years

PhD fellows at University of Pune (UoP) have resorted to ‘Bheekh Maango (begging for alms) Aandolan' from Monday to protest against non-payment of their stipend for two years, reported The Indian Express.

 

More than 50 PhD scholars protested outside the Board of Colleges and University Development (BCUD) building. However, BCUD director felt that the protest was unfair as the matter was being looked into by a committee. Based on its report, the management committee will take decisions on when and how much stipend should the students get. (Read more)

 

Wasudev Gade, director, BCUD told the Indian Express that the board has issued a letter informing students that they will be given a stipend of Rs 6,000 for a year. Students on the other hand wanted some changes asking for the stipend to be given for two years. Taking their demands into consideration, the board has formed a committee to look into the matter. (Read full story)

 

PhD students who are supposed to be given a monthly stipend, haven't been sanctioned anything for the last two years since their admission in 2010. Students are feeling cheated as the University Grants Commission (UGC) had amended PhD stipend rules in 2009.

 

According to a student, despite receiving crores for paying PhD students, the university is not using the amount. Students are said to have resorted to the protest after having approached several university officials to settle the issue.

 

"We need to follow procedure in such matters. We have never said we won't pay heed to their demands. We just need some time," Wasudev Gade told news reporters.

 

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