Punjabi University staff unpaid for two months

PATIALA: Faculty and staff at Punjabi University have not been paid their salary for the past two months (December, January), with the varsity battling an acute financial crisis that has plagued it for years.

In this fiscal, the varsity expenditure is pegged at ₹676 crore, against the expected income of ₹380 crore, leaving a massive ₹296-crore deficit. The university also has an overdraft of ₹140 crore, which is expected to touch ₹150 crore by the year-end.

With allegations of mismanagement over recruitment and finances, the Punjab government has doubled the grant it provides to the varsity over its term and has also given special financial help.

“Yes, there were irregularities in the functioning of the varsity.The Congress has been in the saddle for four years, but has not acted? Due to inaction, the honest are suffering,” said Dr Rajesh Sharma, a senior faculty member, adding that he is without salary for two months.

The government is already pitching in despite financial constraints, officials claim. An official added, “It is the university, which is not setting its house in order and blaming the government.”

In 2014-15, the government provided an annual grant of Rs 76.7 crore to the varsity; in 2019-20, the annual grant increased to Rs 153 crore. This year, the government has given additional financial assistance of Rs 20 crore.

The liabilities of the varsity are over Rs 200 crore. In October, former vicechancellor BS Ghuman had approached the state government for bailout package of Rs 300 crore. Punjabi University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) president Nishan Singh Deol said the university needed special assistance. “The government is duty bound to bail out the institution, providing education to 3 lakh students.

Acting VC Ravneet Kaur didn’t responded to phone calls. University authorities said that they are about to get a special grant and salaries will be released next week.