Delhi govt-funded DU colleges may not pay salaries in Oct

The Delhi government had in July stopped funding to 28 DU colleges as the university had not formed governing bodies for the last 10 months. 12 of the 28 colleges are fully funded and 19 get partial funds.

Delhi University colleges that get 100% funds from the state government may not be able to pay salaries to its teaching and non-teaching staff for this month. Reason: The government withheld funds over non-formation of governing bodies in these colleges.

The Delhi government had in July stopped funding to 28 DU colleges as the university had not formed governing bodies for the last 10 months. 12 of the 28 colleges are fully funded and 19 get partial funds. (Anupam Prashant Minz/HT PHOTO)

The Delhi government had in July stopped funding to 28 DU colleges as the university had not formed governing bodies for the last 10 months. 12 of the 28 colleges are fully funded and 19 get partial funds.

S K Garg, principal of Deen Dayal College, which is among the 12 colleges fully funded by the government, said the college will not be able to pay salaries for October.

“We received funds from the government in July for three months. The funds have been utilized for salaries and electricity bills. But we won’t be able to release salaries for October,” he said.

Balaram Pani, principal of Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, said: “We can’t give salaries for this month unless the government gives us funds. We have written a letter to the university.”

On Monday, DU teachers’ association (DUTA) members met deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and told him that the colleges are finding it difficult to release salaries to teaching and non-teaching staff. “The DUTA has demanded interim relief to pay salaries,” Rajib Ray, president DUTA, said.

Atishi Marlena, advisor to the education minister, said the government was bound by the terms and conditions on which funds are to be given to the colleges. As long as there is no GB, the government cannot release funds.

“There has to be an accountability mechanism if they are receiving funds from us. The government nominee in the GB ensures accountability but for one year there is no GB in these colleges. After one year, the university has now sent a fresh panel of names,” she said.

Dean of Colleges, Devesh K Sinha, said the university sent a fresh panel to the government 10 days ago. “The executive council had raised objection to some names so we have sent a new list of names.”