Pune University Shocks Colleges With Cuts In Funds For Quality Development Scheme
Pune, 24 March 2021: The current pandemic condition has impacted the education system in many ways. One of which is the budget allocation of the colleges. This impact has been seen in the budget allocation of Savitribai Phule Pune University. TheUniversity (SPPU) has decided to cut down the funds for quality development in the recent budget. This decision has surprised the colleges.
The University has detracted the funds for the quality development scheme by eight crores. Former Vice-Chancellor Dr Narendra Jadhav had started the scheme to provide funds to the colleges for organizing various programs like lectures, seminars, conferences, etc. The funds were also utilized to purchase necessary things into the colleges.
Around 900 colleges come under the University from the district of Pune, Nagar, and Nashik. Out of which 50 percent colleges were non – aided and got benefits from the scheme. In 2019- 2020 and 2020-2021, the University allowed Rs 24 crores for colleges and Rs 2 crores for university departments under this scheme. Out of which the colleges spent Rs 4 crores and departments utilized Rs 75.59 lakh. In the year 2020, the funds were unused due to the pandemic situation. However, this year only five crore rupees were sanctioned under this scheme. The University has stated that the cost has been cut as it is facing a financial crunch.
