HRD ministry approves Rs 100 crore for Kurukshetra University

Vishal Joshi
Tribune News Service
Kurukshetra, May 26

Within three months of granting it a special autonomous status, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has approved a grant of Rs 100 crore for Kurukshetra University.

Confirming this to The Tribune on Saturday, Vice Chancellor Prof KC Sharma said the grant would give a boost to the long-pending requirement of infrastructure development and strengthening research activities on the campus.
He hoped that the state government would further increase financial support to the KU that was facing a financial crunch for the last several years.

Sources said the KU had submitted a proposal of Rs 162 crore to the Centre but the MHRD agreed to allocate Rs 100 crore. The UGC funds will route through Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).

“Being the oldest university of Haryana, KU has excelled in various fields. We are looking for more liberal financial assistance from the government to make KU into a centre of excellence,” said Sharma.

On March 20, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had accorded full autonomy for 62 higher educational institutes across India, including KU in recognition of high academic standards.

The VC said the prompt fund allocation had silenced rumours that the Centre might ask the autonomous institutes to generate independent financial resources.

“Extension of laboratories, libraries, purchase of equipments and renovation of classrooms will be among top priorities from the central funds. Construction of ramps and lifts in the various buildings for the convenience of differently abled persons will also be ensured,” said the VC.

“The state government pays 95 per cent budget of the aided colleges whereas KU gets only 30 per cent of its annual budget. I have written the state authorities to enhance the budget allocation for an overall development,” said the VC.