‘Human crisis’ in Santiniketan as Visva-Bharati yet to pay salaries

While quick to issue notices disciplining staff in recent times, the university has not put out any circular explaining the delay

Santiniketan, whose economy largely depends on the Visva-Bharati University, is witnessing, according to teachers, a “human crisis”, with the university yet to pay its staff for the month of June. Salaries in Visva-Bharati are always paid on the last day of every month, but the salaries for June were yet to be released until the evening of July 10. What is surprising is that the university, which in recent times has always been quick to issue notices when it comes to disciplining staff, has not put out any circular explaining why the salaries were being delayed. Its Public Relations Officer, the only official there authorised to speak to the media, did not respond to calls for comment. “This is an unprecedented situation. A human crisis is building up in Santiniketan, considering its economy depends on Visva-Bharati. People have EMIs and rents to pay. Think of the elderly pensioners — how will they survive, that too in these difficult times?” said a professor who has spent 25 years at the university.