The game of accusations between the University of Delhi and the Delhi government doesn’t seem to end soon. While the Delhi university claims that there is a shortage of funds in the 12 state-funded colleges and the state government has not released any funds for these colleges, the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, in an interview held recently regarding the issue, claimed that the state government recently conducted an independent audit of the colleges which were claiming a shortage of funds. While some of the colleges were reluctant in presenting the documents required for the audit, the initial report of the audit revealed some staggering facts.
DELHI GOVERNMENT CONDUCTS AUDIT OF DU COLLEGES
The result of the initial audit conducted by independent bodies revealed that the colleges inappropriately utilized the funds, which led to colossal misappropriation and misuse of funds. Manish Sisodia further said that there was an ample amount of funds available with the colleges. The funds were converted into fixed deposits due to mismanagement by the college and the university administration. While the colleges are struggling to pay the staff and the other utility bills, the government recently said that it had already released about 23% of this year’s fund.
Manish Sisodia also threw light on the pattern of assistance, according to which the state government will only cover the deficit when the colleges ran out of funds. He said that there were enough funds in the hands of every college to pay the salaries of the teachers and other staff allowances. The Deputy Chief Minister also observed that the grant given to these colleges was continually increasing and had almost doubled up in the last five years. Still, due to corruption and malpractices within the administration of the colleges, the funds were not being utilized effectively.
The Deputy CM said that the balance sheet of these colleges did not show any deficit according to the initial audit by the CAG impaneled auditors. All the colleges had funds ranging from 2.5 to 10 crores in their account. He also requested DUTA to question the colleges on where the funds were being diverted.
DELHI UNIVERSITY ST STEPHENS COLLEGE FIRST CUTOFF RELEASED
DUTA ON STRIKE FOR THREE DAYS
Earlier on Tuesday, the Delhi University Teacher’s Association (DUTA) declared a strike on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of September. The teachers also suspended the online classes during the three days of the strike. The reason behind the strike was to urge the University of Delhi and the State Government to resolve their issues so that there can be an instant release of funds. This is however not the first time DUTA protested against the State Government, there were regular protests during July and August as well.
DUTA STRIKE: CLASSES’ SUSPENSION FOR THREE DAYS
The administration of the 12 State Government funded colleges claimed that there was a shortage of availability of funds in the colleges due to which the salary and other allowances were not paid to the staff for the last 4-5 months. Demanding a release of funds, eight teachers from these colleges also filed a petition in the Delhi High Court.
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