Delhi government releases nearly Rs 100 crore for 12 colleges affiliated to DU

Last year in April, the government released Rs 100 crore in the first quarter for the 12 colleges.

The Indian Express had reported in January that the Delhi government had said it would only clear funding once these institutes were de-affiliated from DU and became part of one of Delhi’s state universities. The statement came after DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh wrote to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying the colleges would remain with the varsity and the state should continue funding them.

Citing reports from the Directorate of Audit, Atishi earlier told The Indian Express that the special audit conducted in 2020 on six of the 12 colleges “unequivocally highlighted numerous instances of grave irregularities and procedural lapses of the ‘highest levels’ in expenditure exceeding hundreds of crores.” “Let alone the approval, there should be an inquiry against these colleges. The Delhi government has directed strong action against the administration of these colleges for creating illegal posts, including recovering salaries since 2015 of illegally appointed staff members,” Atishi said.

“These 12 colleges have consistently received an annual grant in aid exceeding Rs 300 crore from the Government of NCT of Delhi for several years. They must be held accountable for any misutilisation of funds,” she added.

As per the notification on Sunday, Atishi stated, “Along with schools, the Kejriwal government focused on higher education and opened three new universities and expanded the existing universities. The 12 Delhi University colleges — fully funded by the Delhi government – play an important role in higher education in Delhi.”

“Many issues of financial mismanagement have come to the fore in these colleges in the last few years, but the Kejriwal government has decided that the teachers and students of those colleges should not suffer due to the mistakes of the management and administration.

Keeping in mind the welfare of teachers, their medical benefits, pension benefits which were stuck due to financial mismanagement, Delhi Government is releasing a fund of Rs 100 crore in the second quarter for these 12 colleges of Delhi University,” she added.