No stipend since March,PU scholars protest

Research scholars of the Panjab University (PU) are a harried lot these days as they have not been paid their regular monthly stipend since March.

Research scholars of the Panjab University (PU) are a harried lot these days as they have not been paid their regular monthly stipend since March. On Thursday,some of the aggrieved students staged an impromptu protest outside the Vice-Chancellors office. The students had sought an appointment with V-C Prof Arun Kumar Grover for Thursday but when they reached the V-Cs office at 10:30 am,he refused to meet and formed a two-member committee comprising Dean University Instruction (DUI) and Finance Development Officer (FDO) to look into the issue.

The funds are released by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to students,who crack the UGC- National Eligibility Test (NET) Junior Research Fellow (JRF)- test,for their research work. Students who avail hostel facilities get Rs 16,000 per month while those who do not stay in hostels receive Rs 19,000 per month.

Scholars are facing hardships since April for non-payment of fellowships. The fellowship for the month of March was released on May 31,but now the scholarships for months of April and May are pending which would delay Junes scholarship as well, said Sandeep,a research scholar in the History department.

The scholars have also submitted a memorandum to the V-C demanding the release of pending scholarships immediately and simplify the procedures for contingency grants.

They have also demanded that the list of their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts be sent to the UGC so that they receive their scholarships directly under the commissions Direct Transfer Scheme.

A letter to this effect was sent to the University by the UGC in February this year,but the PU authorities have not taken any step in this direction so far,alleged scholars. Irked over delay of stipend,another research scholar Himangana of University Business School (UBS) said that if PU send letters to UGC,seeking release of funds,on time such delays can be averted. With no money with us it is very difficult for us to sustain our studies,he added.

Talking to Chandigarh Newsline,PU FDO Vikram Nayyar said: There is a delay in release of grants from UGC. We have written to them. Scholarships of two months are left. We are looking into temporary arrangements through which we can release their stipend.

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