Teachers’ union for urgent infra audit

Raising serious concern over the “deteriorating” infrastructure in Delhi University (DU) colleges, members of the executive and academic councils affiliated with the Indian National Teachers Congress (INTEC) have written to Vice-Chancellor Prof Yogesh Singh, demanding immediate remedial action and financial support in this regard.

The teachers’ body has pointed out that while the University Grants Commission (UGC) had sanctioned nearly Rs 15 crore per college during the implementation of the OBC reservations in 2008-09 to support infrastructure upgrades, no similar financial provision was made following the introduction of the EWS reservations in 2019 despite a sharp rise in student intake.

Highlighting safety hazards, the letter mentioned recent incidents such as collapsing ceilings and falling fans that had led to injuries, as well as the poor state of digital equipment, sanitation and hygiene in many colleges. With the introduction of the fourth year under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) from the 2025-26 academic session, the INTEC said additional infrastructure was urgently required.

INTEC chairman Prof Pankaj Garg has called for the immediate constitution of Infrastructure Audit Committee by the DU, submission of a time-bound audit report, and a formal request to the Union Government to release at least Rs 30 crore per college for critical repairs, upgrades and expansion.

The teachers have insisted that this financial aid be released as a grant, given the Union Government’s responsibility to maintain infrastructure in Centrally-funded institutions.

INTEC stressed that the matter must be treated with urgency in the interest of faculty, staff and students.