Osmania University will face a tough time even to give salaries and pensions if the State government doesn’t come to its rescue to support the budget deficit of nearly Rs. 42 crore this year.
The highest deficit ever projected in the varsity’s history is due to new recruitments and commitments of arrears while there is no addition to the block grant.
The university has projected an expenditure of Rs. 370.82 crore while an income of Rs. 328.67 crore is expected. Nearly 71 per cent of the income will be spent on salaries (Rs. 181.30 crore) and pensions (85 crore) while another 21.16 per cent on paying revised pay scales, filling new teacher posts, consolidation of pension and establishment of a PG centre at Siddipet.
Internal resources
Apart from the block grant of Rs. 170 crore given by the State government, funds will come from examination fee (Rs. 40 crore), internal resources ( Rs. 32.89 crore) and PGRR Distance Education Centre (Rs. 5 crore).
University Vice-Chancellor S. Satynarayana said that he would seek Rs. 45 crore additional grants from the government for the smooth functioning of the University.
Resources have dried up from the PGRR Centre for Distance Education, which used to be a cash cow.
Enrolments have come down hitting revenue generation due to establishment of new varsities, expansion of colleges in rural areas and also growth of distance education providers, officials said.
On the positive front, several research grants have been sanctioned to the university by the UGC while fellowships awarded to students have also increased. Prof. Satyanarayana said 7 teachers have got Emeritus fellowship while two faculty members received BSR fellowship.
Post-doctoral fellowships
Two post doctoral fellowships tenable at US varsities have been sanctioned to faculty members in sciences under Obama-Singh Knowledge Initiative. The government has sanctioned Rs. 19.94 crore for setting up a PG centre at Siddipet in Medak while a proposal to start another PG College in Jogipet in Medak district is under active consideration, the Vice-Chancellor said.
Under University with Potential for Excellence (UPE), a new block at science college with estimated cost of Rs. 7.3 crore, second floor at the Central facilities building with Rs. 5 crore and extension of Genetics Department with Rs. 1.5 crore have been taken up. New hostels for boys and Ph.D girl students are also being planned.
SC/ST sub-plan
During the discussion, a member sought to know about the funds sanctioned under the SC/ST sub plan to the university and if there were proposals to have such sub plan for university funds.
The Vice-Chancellor said that they have not received any communication from the government on sub plan funds so far and he will seek a direction from the UGC on such sub plan for the varsity funds.
