No books bought in 3 yrs: Murthal varsity faces heat over unused library funds

Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology (DCRUST) has reportedly failed to utilise its library budget over three years, receiving ₹9.02 crore but spending just ₹19.95 lakh—mostly on e-subscriptions and software—with no physical books bought.

However, the university administration has refuted the allegations and said that the university has floated the tender for book purchase but no publisher has participated. Now, the file has been moved for the re-tendering process.

An RTI reply shows allocations of ₹2.45 crore (2023-24), ₹3.36 crore (2024-25), and ₹3.20 crore (2025-26). Expenditure included ₹11.80 lakh on Turnitin software (March 2025), ₹3.71 lakh on e-library subscription (February 2024), ₹4.44 lakh (2025-26 subscription), and ₹4 lakh on newspapers/magazines.

The Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University Teachers’ Association (DCRUTA) blames the Library Committee—chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Shree Prakash Singh—for the lapse, calling it a “grave concern” that has deprived students and faculty. President Dr Ajay Dabas wrote to the Haryana Governor and university Chancellor, noting students paid ₹2.30 crore in library fees without benefits.

The DCRUTA demanded an appropriate probe into the matter and also to direct the university administration for immediate, transparent and time bound procurement of books and library resources and to ensure proper utilisation of library funds as per UGC norms and NEP (New Education Policy) guidelines.

Professor Shree Prakash Singh, Vice Chancellor, DCRUST and Chairman, Library Committee, said the tender was invited for purchasing of books for over 1,100 titles, but no publishing house has participated. There is no shortage of funds and funds have been allocated for purchasing books only, he said.

Apart from it, we have e-subscription for the library and there was no shortage of books online for the students. Any student can read any books any time through online subscription, he said.

However, I have directed to refloat the tender again for purchasing books for the university library, the Vice Chancellor maintained.