Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday said that some colleges of Delhi University are depositing their funds in FDs and incessantly demanding money from the Delhi government.
However, Delhi University Principal’s Association has refuted the claim made by the Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia wherein he made “allegations” against the administration of the Delhi Government funded colleges, charging them of misappropriation of funds and not paying salary from students society account.
Terming the incident unfortunate, the association in a statement said that it is very unfortunate that the Deputy CM is misleading people by saying that enough funds have been provided in the current financial year.
“The Delhi Government gives grant under two heads – plan and non-plan. It is clearly mentioned in every sanction letter that funds cannot be transferred from one head to the other. How come the Deputy CM is asking the colleges to pay the salaries from the Student’s Society Fund, which is collected from the students for specific activities and purposes? Any diversion of funds, would amount to misappropriation.
“It is also a matter of concern, as to the basis of identifying the six colleges for special audit – Is it because the Members of their choice could not be elected as Chairperson in the governing body of these colleges? – If that is so, it amounts to scuttling the democratic process,” it added.
“The DUPA strongly demands the Delhi government to restrain from issuing sweeping statements and immediately release 75per cent of the grant i.e. Rs. 202.5 crores of their annual budget requirement (Rs. 270 crores), so that the salaries and pension (pending and current) of the staff members of these colleges could be paid,” it said.
Meanwhile, replying to the statement, Sisodia said that some colleges of Delhi University are depositing their funds in FDs and incessantly demanding money from the Delhi Government.
According to the rules regarding pattern of assistance, these colleges need to meet all thier expenses from the funds they get from various other sources and only after that, if there is any shortage, they will be compensated by the Delhi government, he said.
Unfortunately, when the Delhi government asked for the accounts for sources of income from these colleges, they denied presenting accounts, he said, adding that the Delhi government has increased the budget for these colleges by two-three times already.
“Despite that, these colleges have failed to pay the salaries of their staff. If these colleges do not disclose how they have spent their money, on what basis can the Delhi government release funds?” he said.
“On one hand, these colleges have been saying that they do not have sufficient funds to pay the salaries of their staff, and on the other hand, the money in their FDs is consistently increasing. This money is not provided by the Delhi government to deposit in the FD. Some colleges have FDs that have up to Rs. 15 to 30 crores,” he said.
Sisodia further asked “What portion of this money has come from which sources? How is it being used? This needs to be investigated by the audit team. I hope that the Delhi University Administration will cooperate with the audit team in investigating the possibility of corruption in the college funds”.
“Delhi University is a university with a proud history. I hope that the DU administration will take stern action instead of making political statements. We believe that the transparency and clean image of the university should be upheld,” he said. .
