Not a single poor student in Mumbai University!
Of the Rs.50L budget for poor students, varsity has not spent a single rupee
Even as the Union and state governments are going all out to pinpoint the exact number of poor people in the country, expected to be between 50-70% of the total population, the University of Mumbai (MU) is probably the only campus in India where all its 6.5lakh students are apparently above average in terms of wealth.
Of its Rs50 lakh budget allocated for poor students in the fiscal year 2011-’12, the varsity has not spent a single rupee. As per its budget provisions, the varsity has kept aside Rs25 lakh to provide financial assistance to tribal students.
“But despite being spread over 5 districts, four of them known for their large tribal populations, the varsity could not find a single needy student!” said a member, after the Management Council (MC) meeting. Similarly, Rs20 lakh were allocated for backward-class students. Here too, the officials did not find a single deserving pupil.
Moreover, it had set aside Rs5 lakh in the last financial year for its ‘Earn and Learn Scheme’ for poor students, all of which it has saved. This has upset many professors and members of the MC.
According to a member of the council, “The varsity has no mechanism to spend this money. Nor do the officials care about poor students. This is against all the reservation laws that have been made to uplift underprivileged tribal and backward students.”
The whole budget will now be allocated for next year. Senate member Sanjay Vairal said, “This is not surprising at all. The varsity is never serious about ST/OBC students, and this happens every year.”
MC member Dilip Karande boycotted the session. “We have been given a 550-page budget copy on February 18. How can one read it all in just four days?” asked Karande.
Of the Rs.50L budget for poor students, varsity has not spent a single rupee
Even as the Union and state governments are going all out to pinpoint the exact number of poor people in the country, expected to be between 50-70% of the total population, the University of Mumbai (MU) is probably the only campus in India where all its 6.5lakh students are apparently above average in terms of wealth.
Of its Rs50 lakh budget allocated for poor students in the fiscal year 2011-’12, the varsity has not spent a single rupee. As per its budget provisions, the varsity has kept aside Rs25 lakh to provide financial assistance to tribal students.
“But despite being spread over 5 districts, four of them known for their large tribal populations, the varsity could not find a single needy student!” said a member, after the Management Council (MC) meeting. Similarly, Rs20 lakh were allocated for backward-class students. Here too, the officials did not find a single deserving pupil.
Moreover, it had set aside Rs5 lakh in the last financial year for its ‘Earn and Learn Scheme’ for poor students, all of which it has saved. This has upset many professors and members of the MC.
According to a member of the council, “The varsity has no mechanism to spend this money. Nor do the officials care about poor students. This is against all the reservation laws that have been made to uplift underprivileged tribal and backward students.”
The whole budget will now be allocated for next year. Senate member Sanjay Vairal said, “This is not surprising at all. The varsity is never serious about ST/OBC students, and this happens every year.”
MC member Dilip Karande boycotted the session. “We have been given a 550-page budget copy on February 18. How can one read it all in just four days?” asked Karande.
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