Why Govt reduced funds of Minority Universities like Jamia and AMU?

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) are among the most prestigious universities, not only in India, but throughout Asia.

This was confirmed by the Indian Ministry of Education answering a question Monday during the Monsoon Session in Parliament.

The question was asked by Kerala Congress MP T N Prathapan. He requested details of the funds allocated to the core universities, namely: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi; Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Aligarh Muslim University (AMU); Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar; and Benaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi.

The ministry's response revealed that in the case of Jamia Millia Islamia, while overall funding had increased from Rs 264.48 crore in 2014-15, it had witnessed a sharp drop of almost Rs 68.73 crore. from Rs 479.83 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 411.10 crore in 2021-22. In the current financial year, Rs 105.95 crore was allocated to the university in the first quarter.

Similarly, in the case of Aligarh Muslim University, the response revealed that while the overall allocation had increased from Rs 673.98 crore in 2014-15, it had shown a marked decrease of almost Rs 306 crore from Rs 1,520.10 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 1,214.63 crore in 2021-22. In the current financial year, the reply said that the allocation was Rs 302.32 crore in the first quarter.

The response revealed that the annual percentage increase in funding was lowest for JNU, where funds allocated or released increased marginally from 2014-15 when they stood at Rs 336.91 crore. In the seven years leading up to 2021-22, funding increased by just Rs 70 crore to reach Rs 407.47 crore.

In the case of Benaras Hindu University, the increase was much more pronounced as funding almost doubled from Rs 669.51 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 1303.01 crore in 2021-22. Similarly, in the case of Rajiv Gandhi University, funding increased by nearly 250% in this period, from Rs 39.93 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 102.79 crore in 2021-22.

Similarly, in the case of Rajiv Gandhi University, the funds increased by 250% from Rs 39.93 crores in 2014-15 to Rs 102.79 crores in 2021-22.

When Prathapan questioned Sarkar about the decreased allocation of funds, the latter said: “The government provides grants to central universities through the University Grants Commission (UGC). The allocation of funds is made based on the requirement projected by the University and the expenses incurred during the previous year, as well as the availability of funds.”

Prathapan went on to say that there is a fee increase at certain central universities due to shortage of funds. He questioned Sarkar on how the government could turn a blind eye to this issue and what the reasons are for not allocating more funds, according to the report.

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