Assessment of grants not done for some varsities for 10 years

The University of Pune got salary grants,worth Rs 2,0231.97 lakhs from 2004-5 till 2011-12. But assessments were done only till 2006-07,reveals the RTI report.

University of Mumbai has taken a grant of Rs 1,438.43 from 2004-05 till 2011-12. But assessment was carried out only till 2002-03. But none can beat SNDT,Women’s University,Mumbai,which has the highest number of pending assessments. The university received grants worth Rs 11,660.90 from 2004-05 till 2012 but the assessments were not carried out since 1995-96.

The grants that are given to universities are to be released on a yearly basis,depending on grants that the university got in the previous year. “The adjustment are to be carried out during current year with respect to excess/short release for previous year,” says the RTI reply. But nothing of this sort was followed by the directorate.

A total of Rs 1,01,735.50 lakh were released during past eight years to 11 universities,even though none of the universities have up-to-date assessment of grants given to them. “This shows the sorry state of the education department in the state. Even though the previous year’s grants have not been assessed,future grants have already been released.

This puts both universities and higher education officials in a spot. When there is no record to show how these grants were used by the universities,how can the higher education department send yearly reports to the government on utilisation of funds. This shows the total failure of the system,” said activist Vihar Durve.

“It is true that assessment of grants have not been done for long. But we do not think there is any wrongdoing on the part of the Universities. We have asked the joint directors in 10 divisions to assess the grants in their respective universities. We are sure that the assessment work will be completed soon,” said an official from the Higher Education Department.