Bhopal: 20% budget cut hits MANIT activities

The Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) in Bhopal is undergoing a difficult time in meeting its financial requirements for various activities as the Ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD) has slashed funds meant for all the National Institute of Technology (NIT) by 20%.

This decision can prove to be a serious problem for the institute as it recently slipped to the 29th rank from the earlier all-India 15th rank because of a financial crisis.

The HRD has asked the institute to generate the remaining amount on its own with a rider that the institute cannot raise the fee structure. Hence, the institute will have to generate funds through various projects.

“The institute is already facing a fund deficit. This step will leave a more adverse effect. This is the first instance of the Centre reducing funds for education. If they really want to make the country smart, they should increase the budget so that more research work and exposure can be given to students and teachers,” said an officer, who didn’t wish to be named.

MANIT’s director Appu Kuttan said, “HRD has cut the budget. In a bid to meet expenses, training programme for teachers and foreign visits will be cut because we can’t hamper any activities related to students.”

“For fund generation, teachers will have to take up industrial projects and research work. A shopping complex has also been started in the campus and is also a source of money for the institute,” said Kuttan.

However, teachers feel that if the institute channelizes its energy in getting projects it would affect its academic activities.

MANIT professor Tripta Thakur said, “We don’t have any problem taking up industrial projects but for working on it, foreign visits and training programmes are required.”