Andhra Pradesh’s higher education sector is grappling with a severe financial crisis, leading to significant delays in salary and pension disbursements across state universities. This ongoing issue has left faculty, staff, and pensioners in a state of distress and uncertainty.
Root Causes of the Financial Strain
The primary factor contributing to this crisis is the irregular and insufficient release of block grants by the state government. Even when funds are allocated, they often fall short of covering the escalating expenses of these institutions. For instance, Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) in Tirupati requires over ₹200 crore annually for salaries and pensions but received only ₹140 crore last year, leading to persistent financial shortfalls.
Impact on University Operations
The financial instability has severely disrupted university operations:
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Delayed Salaries and Pensions: Employees and retirees face consistent delays in receiving their dues. At SVU, December’s salaries were paid in February, and as of mid-February, January’s payments remained pending.
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Administrative Challenges: The absence of regular Vice-Chancellors has exacerbated management issues. Since October 2018, Dravidian University has seen eight Vice-Chancellors, including interim appointees, leading to administrative inefficiencies and controversies.
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Operational Disruptions: Financial constraints have led to shortages of essential supplies, such as medications at university health centers, further impacting staff welfare.
Government Response and Ongoing Challenges
The state government has acknowledged these issues and, in some cases, released funds to address salary backlogs. For example, in September 2024, the government released ₹2.86 crore to clear a year’s worth of pending salaries for Dravidian University staff. However, such measures are often reactive and fail to provide a sustainable solution to the systemic financial problems plaguing these institutions.
Conclusion
The financial crisis in Andhra Pradesh’s universities highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive and sustainable funding strategy. Ensuring timely and adequate financial support is crucial to maintain the quality and stability of higher education in the state. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts from the government, university administrations, and stakeholders to safeguard the future of higher education in Andhra Pradesh.
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