Indian National Teachers’ Congress condemns union government for cutting higher education budget

NEW DELHI: The Indian National Teachers’ Congress has condemned the union government decision to cut the budget allocation in higher education. The teachers’ body also highlighted the issue of a drop in the funding by the University Grants Commission (UGC) by 60.99%.

“The reduction of budget allocation for higher education and drop in the UGC funding by 60.99% clearly reflects the (union) government’s intention to convert government public-funded institutions to self-financing institutions,” the teachers’ body said in a press release.

It added that the BJP-led centre government has stopped funding for infrastructural development and research facilities in the universities and has directed the institutes to take loans from Higher Education Funding Agency (HEFA). “The only source of income for public-funded institutions is student’s fees, which will be raised manifolds after this (reduction in budget allocation). Last year, Delhi University generated more than Rs 100 crores from 5 lakhs college students in order to create infrastructural facilities on the campus, the press release added.

It added that the decision is going to adversely affect the prospects of economically weaker section students in higher education.

Also read Education Budget 2024: Higher ed sees Rs 9,600 crore cut from RE; UGC funds halved

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman today presented the the interim budget 2024. The budget allocation for higher education has been revised to Rs 57,244.48 crore in the current financial year, which represents a cut of Rs 9,600 crore.

The finance minister has allocated Rs 47,619.77 crore to higher education, an increase of Rs 3,525.15 crore (7.4%) from the budget estimate for the 2023-24 fiscal. Research and innovation grants to institutions have seen a marginal increase.