NEW DELHI, June 8: In a memorandum submitted to Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has expressed concern over the ``deteriorating financial health of its universities and other institutions of higher education''.Professor K.B. Powar, general secretary of AIU, says: ``The discussion paper on Government Subsidies in India, issued by the Department of Economic Affairs last year is the main cause of concern. The basis on which they have decided to reduce government subsidy for higher education is incorrect.''AIU publication State Funding of Higher Education highlights the problem. The foreword by president of AIU S. Rinpoche states: ``Because of inadequate funding by the government most universities have been suffering from financial deficits and have consequently not been in a position to ensure even the minimum in terms of laboratory, library and other facilities.. Currently higher education funding is being treated in an ad hoc manner.''Referring to the Kothari Commission report of 1968, the memorandum further states that its recommendation to spend six per cent of the GNP on education has not yet been put into practice.Powar however agreed that a change in the fee structure was also required to make the universities more self-reliant.
