Delhi University's 12 city-funded colleges are facing a financial crisis as their allocated budgets have been cut, some officials at these institutions claim. Due to this, these colleges come across a lot of problems like difficulties in paying the salaries of teachers.

According to Delhi University's registrar, Vikas Gupta, "They will take up the issue of non-release of funds with the AAP government. The issue was also raised at the Executive Council meeting of the university held on October 29."

No salaries, pensions, and other allowances for the last five months

This financial crunch has affected the teachers of Delhi University a lot. As they are not even getting their basic salaries and other expenses.

"Teachers have not been paid their salaries for five months. The government has slashed the allocated budget by half. Not only salaries, but the teachers also are not getting their pension and other allowances," said a senior teacher at Delhi University.

Financial crunch is an obstacle in the learning process

Explaining the situation, Subodh Kumar, a president of staff association of the Maharaja Agrasen College and coordinator of all the 12 colleges, said teachers want the teaching-learning process to continue but the government is not letting it happen.

Tussle between Delhi University and the government

The government has an issue with Delhi University. The issue has been going on before the Covid-19 pandemic. There was a tussle over the formation of governing bodies but they were formed.

"Then they (govt) alleged corruption in colleges and despite various audits, they did not find anything. After the pandemic, they said they didn't have money and slashed the budget. Earlier we (the college) were getting Rs 28 crore which has been brought down to Rs 16 crore," said Subodh Kumar, the president of the staff association of the Maharaja Agrasen College and coordinator.

Because of this behaviour of the Delhi government, teachers will be forced to protest. According to official information before the Covid-19 pandemic, the college had 122 teachers, but now only 115 teachers are working at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College.

Principal of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, Hem Chand Jain said, "Last year, the government released 42 crores (to the college) but this year they reduced it to Rs 28 crore. We have received two installments, but looking at the situation, this money will only allow us to pay salaries for six months."

List of 12 colleges facing the financial crunch:

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College

Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College

Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women,

Aditi Mahavidyalaya,

Keshav Mahavidyalaya,

Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies

Bhagini Nivedita College

Acharya Narendra Dev College

Maharishi Balmiki College of Education

Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Science

Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Science

Maharaja Agrasen College.

(With inputs from agencies)