JMI, AMU face sharp decline in funds, BHU grants double: Education ministry data

NEW DELHI: The fund allocation for Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) saw a significant cut in the financial year 2021 compared to the previous year. On the other hand, funds for Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has been doubled, as per the ministry of education’s response in Lok Sabha.

Responding to a question by Congress MP from Kerala TN Prathapan, the minister of state for education Subhas Sarkar gave details of budget allocation to five central universities namely - Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU); Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI); Aligarh Muslim University (AMU); Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar; and Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

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Jamia Millia Islamia

The minister’s reply revealed that the funds for JMI saw a significant dip of Rs 68.73 crore when compared to 2020 and 2021 Union Budget allocations. JMI’s funding for the financial year 2020-21 was at Rs 479.83 crore and in 2021-22 it was reduced to Rs 411.10 crore. 14.32% decrease in 2021-22 compared to 2020-21.

In the first quarter of the current financial year, Rs 105.95 crore has been allocated. On the other hand, there has been a sharp increase in overall funds allocated for JMI compared to 2014-15, when it received only Rs 264.48 crore. 14.32 % decrease in 21-22 compared to 20-21

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Aligarh Muslim University

Aligarh Muslim University is also facing a similar situation. As per the central universities’ funding details shared by the education minister, the budget allocation for AMU also shows a sharp decrease in allocations since 2014-15.

Unlike JMI, AMU was allocated Rs 673.98 crore in 2014-15. The university saw a significant decline of nearly Rs 306 crore from Rs 1,520.10 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 1,214.63 crore in 2021-22. In the current fiscal year, AMU has been allotted Rs 302.32 crore in the first quarter.

The minister told Lok Sabha that “The Government provides grants to Central Universities through University Grants Commission (UGC). Allocation of funds is made on the basis of the requirement projected by the University and expenditure incurred during the previous year as well as availability of funds.”

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Banaras Hindu University

Banaras Hindu University funds doubled from Rs Rs 669.51 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 1,303.01 crore in 2021-22. The university saw nearly Rs 165 crore rise in the previous year compared to Rs 1137.16 crore in 2020-21.

In the case of Rajiv Gandhi University, the funding increased nearly 250% from Rs 39.93 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 102.79 crore in 2021-22.

In the case of JNU, the university saw a marginal increase and decrease of funds since 2014. Rs 404.47 crore was allocated for JNU in 2021-22, which is about Rs 33 crore increase compared to 2020-21 and nearly Rs 70 crore increase compared to 2014 budget allocation. In the current fiscal year, JNU got Rs 124.71 crore in the first quarter.

This Union Budget 2022 session, grants to central universities saw an increase from Rs 7643.26 to Rs 9,420 crores for the upcoming financial year. The world-class institutions, or the Institutes of Eminence have been allocated a budget of Rs 1,700 crore.