Library fund row: Directorate seeks report from Murthal varsity
Teachers’ association calls lapse a ‘grave concern’
Taking serious note of the alleged non-utilisation of library funds at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology (DCRUST), Murthal, the Director, Technical Education, Haryana, has sought a detailed factual report from the university administration.
In an official communication, the Directorate has asked the university to furnish a comprehensive report supported by relevant records and documents “to enable examination of the matter at this level”.
The development comes after ‘The Tribune’ highlighted the issue on February 13 under the headline, ‘No books bought 3 years: Murthal varsity faces heat over unused library funds’.
According to an RTI reply, a total budget allocation of Rs 9.02 crore was made for the university library over the past three financial years — Rs 2.45 crore in 2023-24, Rs 3.36 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 3.20 crore in 2025-26.
However, the expenditure during this period was limited to Rs 19.95 lakh on e-library subscriptions and software purchases, along with approximately Rs 4 lakh spent on newspapers and magazines.
The RTI response further revealed that Turnitin software was procured for Rs 11.80 lakh in March last year, Rs 3.71 lakh was spent on an annual e-library subscription in February 2024, and Rs 4.44 lakh allocated for the annual e-library subscription for 2025-26.
The Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University Teachers’ Association (DCRUTA) has blamed the Library Committee — headed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Shree Prakash Singh — for the lapse, terming the matter a “grave concern” that has adversely affected both students and faculty.
DCRUTA president Dr Ajay Dabas has written to the Haryana Governor and university Chancellor, pointing out that students had paid Rs 2.30 crore in library fees without commensurate benefits.
The association has demanded a thorough probe into the issue and urged the authorities to direct the university administration to ensure immediate, transparent and time-bound procurement of books and library resources, in accordance with UGC norms and NEP guidelines.
