UGC funds, but 100 PU researchers sans stipends for a year

Even after three months of sanction of funds by the University Grants Commission for grant of junior research fellowships, Panjab University is yet to disperse the amount to its researchers. Around 100 scholars have been waiting for their monthly stipends for the past year.

Even after three months of sanction of funds by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for grant of junior research fellowships, Panjab University is yet to disperse the amount to these researchers.

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Around 100 scholars have been waiting for their monthly stipend for the past year, making the outstanding dues accumulate to more than Rs 2 lakh per student.

The UGC had sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for 26 scholars in December 2011 followed by another instalment of the same amount in February for another 30 scholars.

Each JRF gets a monthly fellowship of Rs 16,000 plus HRA of Rs 3,200. According to the norms, the UGC provides funds to the university, which disperses it among the scholars.

After running from pillar to post to get the money released, a group of students on Thursday approached dean research RK Kohli for assistance.

Confirming the development, Kohli said a few students belonging to different departments approached him and submitted their complaints.

"This is for the first time that students have come to me with such a problem, and I will ensure they do not face inconvenience," said Kohli.