Universities across Andhra Pradesh are faced with a financial crisis, with delayed salaries leaving the staff and pensioners in distress.
Universities across Andhra Pradesh are faced with a financial crisis, with delayed salaries leaving the staff and pensioners in distress. (Image: DC)
Tirupati: Universities across Andhra Pradesh are faced with a financial crisis, with delayed salaries leaving the staff and pensioners in distress. Non-payment of salaries in the first week of every month continued for the past few years and the scenario remained so during the present TD-led government’s term.
The crux of the issue lies in the irregular release of block grants by the state governments. Even when funds are disbursed, they are insufficient to cover the growing expenditure of universities. Despite the alliance-led government's efforts to streamline salary payments across various sectors, the plight of these higher educational institutions has been overlooked.
In the past, universities could use their reserves to bridge funding gaps. Those reserves were allegedly drained during the YSRC rule.
Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) in Tirupati exemplifies the gravity of the situation. Salary payment was delayed this month, and there’s no word yet on when it would be disbursed. The last month's payments arrived in the first week of February. December saw the disbursements drag into the middle of the month.
With an annual requirement exceeding Rs 200 crore for salaries and pensions, the university received only Rs 140 crore last year. This year's allocation of Rs 226.38 crore provided little relief due to its fragmented distribution. "SVU needs 20 to 25 crore every month towards salaries, with pensions alone requiring Rs 10 crore", explained SVU registrar Bhupathi Naidu.
"We've repeatedly approached the state authorities. If funds don't arrive by Monday, we may need to seek alternative steps," he said.
Notably, SVU vice-chancellor Prof Appa Rao and Registrar Prof Naidu met education minister Nara Lokesh at Tirupati airport on Sunday to discuss the issue. The minister acknowledged the situation's severity and promised action.
SVU non-teaching employees association, led by its president G Sridhar, has announced a symbolic daily protest of half an hour from Wednesday. "Our universities are on the brink, struggling with staff shortages and financial instability. We urge the state government to act fast," the association stated.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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