Problems continue to dog PU budget

Chandigarh, March 23: The Punjab University budget for the year 1999-2000 reportedly runs the risk of being deferred at the meeting of th...

Chandigarh, March 23: The Punjab University budget for the year 1999-2000 reportedly runs the risk of being deferred at the meeting of the PU Senate scheduled for March 28, with the university authorities showing little interest in holding a meeting of sub-committee of the Board of Finance which is to suggest means of economising and increasing financial resources.

It was decided in the meetings of the PU Board of Finance held on March 3 and 10 that the two-member sub-committee which consists of Prof I.M. Govil and S.S. Gill would be assisted by different functionaries of the PU, Punjab Government and the UT administration in their task. The sub-committee was formed to 8220;suggest improvement in financial management of the university by identifying means of augmenting financial resources and affecting economy.8221;

Even as the two members, in separate letters to the PU vice-chancellor, have suggested that the meeting be held at the earliest to re-examine the budget, PU authorities seem disinclined. 8220;No meeting has been fixed so far and tomorrow is a holiday,8221; Prof Paramjit Singh, Registrar PU admitted. He added: 8220;With only about two to three working days left this week and the meetings of the various faculties immediately before the Senate meets, it is unlikely that there would be a meeting this week.8221;

SS Gill reportedly wrote to the V-C on March 20 stating: 8220;I request you to convene its meeting before the budget is presented to the Senate, so that the non-planned expenditure and other related items may be thoroughly thrashed out.8221; Gill, when contacted confirmed that he had written to the V-C adding that he had not received a response. Similarly, Prof Govil in his letter written on March 22 reportedly suggested that the budget proposal for 1999-2000 be discussed before being 8220;presented to the Senate.8221; He had also asked for information regarding income generated by the Industry-Institute Partnership Cell, the IAS Coaching Centre of the PU and the rent of shops on the campus.

8220;Their is a lack of interest on the part of the authorities. They don8217;t seem to be inclined to provide figures. The basic idea is to curtail expenses. What is the use of forming the committee if the budget is not going to be discussed before it is passed?8221; Prof Govil asked.

Meanwhile, sources in the PU Senate point out that with the budget proposals being put before the Senate sans modifications suggested by the sub-committee, there could be a move to defer the budget. 8220;If the sub-committee does not discuss and modify the proposals, we will have to propose that only the teachers salaries be released for the time being and the other proposals be deffered,8221; a senator disclosed.