Hampi’s Kannada University finally granted ₹1 crore special grant, but varsity is not able to use it as Karnataka govt. has not approved action plan

The severely cash-strapped and debt-ridden Kannada University, Hampi, was finally given a special grant of ₹1 crore by the State government two months ago. This, though inadequate, should have come as a breather for the university. However, that is not to be, as the government is yet to approve its action plan, though the university submitted the same two months ago.

The severely cash-strapped and debt-ridden Kannada University, Hampi, was finally given a special grant of ₹1 crore by the State government two months ago. This, though inadequate, should have come as a breather for the university. However, that is not to be, as the government is yet to approve its action plan, though the university submitted it two months ago.

The money is part of a special grant of a total of ₹8 crore to seven universities in Karnataka. “Of this, ₹2 crore has been released to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar School of Economics University, Bengaluru, ₹1 crore to Kannada University, Hampi, and the remaining distributed to the University of Mysore, Mangalore University, and others,” said M.C. Sudhakar, Minister for Higher Education. However, the delay in approval of action plans has made this fund a mirage.

Kannada University already has a liability of ₹3.9 crore. While the grant of ₹1 crore is insufficient, the delay in approval of its action plan even two months after submission, has crippled research activities at the university.

“In the action plan, we have given more emphasis on research initiatives. But, since the government has not given approval, research activities have also been hampered. If the grant is used without the action plan being approved, an audit objection will be raised. We have repeatedly requested the government to approve the action plan, but there has been no reply,” said D.V. Paramashivamurthy, Vice-Chancellor. 

The State government has been trying to nudge universities into becoming self-sustaining and cutting grants. However, Kannada University is a unique case as it is entirely focused on research and does not give affiliation to colleges owing to which it does not have any revenue sources. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the university was not even able to pay the salaries of contract workers for 18 months as the government did not give funds adequately. “Despite several requests to the State government to pay off the backlog, there has been no response,” Dr. Paramashivamurthy said.

“In the initial years, the government provided an annual grant of ₹25 crore to ₹50 crore to the university. However, this grant which was supposed to increase year-on-year, is decreasing drastically. Earlier, we had 73 faculty members. Now this has come down to 46. About 20 will retire in the next three years. There is only one faculty member in four departments. There are no full-time faculty members in 19 departments. Can the university become self-sustaining in such a situation?” he questioned. “If the government fills the vacant posts and gives an annual grant of ₹6 crore to ₹7 crore, the university will function optimally,” he said.