The teachers’ association at Delhi University (DU) has strongly criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) )-led Delhi government, pointing out issues related to inconsistent and delayed funding for 12 colleges entirely funded by the state. Teachers from these universities have raised concerns over their financial viability, stating that they have not received their wages in the last two months.
The Delhi government said earlier this month that Rs 100 crore would be made available to support these fully sponsored DU institutes. Teachers, however, contend that this sum has not sufficiently addressed their continuous payment delays, leading to increased demands for rapid money distribution to guarantee institutional stability and continuous university staff salary disbursements.
The president of the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), A.K. Bhagi, took to social media on Monday to voice his displeasure with the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) recent assertions about college finance. Bhagi emphasised that the majority of staff members in the 12 government-funded colleges in Delhi have yet to get their September pay, even after the government made a statement earlier this month.
Additionally, he spoke at a press conference hosted by an AAP minister on October 12 and denounced it as deceptive because no money had been sent to the colleges. Teachers at Delhi University strongly disagreed with these remarks and claimed delayed funding for 12 colleges, and Bhagi said they rejected the AAP-led Delhi government’s suggested self-financing or fund-cut plan.
He emphasised that the pursuit of “full funding and timely regularisation” for these colleges remains a priority. Bhagi expressed confidence, stating, “This harsh government policy will be overturned sooner or later.” Efforts to reach government representatives for their response to these claims went unanswered, as calls and messages did not receive a reply.
The principal of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, Hem Chand, voiced similar worries, saying, “We have not yet received our September and October pay for our teaching and non-teaching staff. Our college has not received any of the Rs 100 crore that was announced as being released.” The inconsistent and delayed distribution of funds has been a contentious issue involving the colleges, the Delhi government, and Delhi University for more than a year.
A professor from Shaheed Rajguru College expressed concerns about both teaching and non-teaching staff facing difficulties managing their healthcare costs due to serious health issues. Despite the growing concern, Delhi University Registrar Vikas Gupta refrained from offering any comments on the situation.
At the beginning of this month, Chief Minister Atishi approved a significant financial measure aimed at alleviating the ongoing financial difficulties & delayed funding for 12 colleges. According to government statements, an additional Rs 100 crore was allocated to help these institutions address operational challenges and restore stability in faculty and staff benefits that had been affected by budgetary constraints.
This recent funding follows two previous tranches, each amounting to Rs 100 crore. The first of these was issued in April, followed by a second tranche released in July. Through these cumulative funds, the government aims to mitigate disruptions and support the colleges in maintaining their essential functions.
