Jadavpur University has written to the higher education department seeking a grant of Rs 16 crore for major repair and renovation projects because the institution is not in a “position to bear such a huge burden”.
JU has pleaded for funds as renovation and repairs are needed ahead of the visit by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), scheduled for April.
The university has sought funds for civil repair work, maintenance of infrastructure, beautification and painting of academic buildings and under other heads.
In its self-assessment report to the NAAC, JU has stated that it faces "considerable shortage of funds”.
The letter, signed by registrar Snehamanju Basu and addressed to the senior special secretary in the higher education department, says: “The university NAAC infrastructural sub-committee has estimated the NAAC related major renovation and repair work to the tune of Rs 16.25 crore. I would like to inform you that the university is not in a position to bear such a huge burden on its own."
“Please sanction and release a grant of Rs 16.25 crore from any special head of the state government," the letter says.
A JU official said the university would earn a poor rating from the NAAC if the renovation and repairs could not be undertaken in time. “The NAAC awards scores for physical infrastructure on the campus, among other things,” the official said.
The NAAC assessment is a yardstick for academic excellence of a university.
In the last assessment in 2014, JU had been given an "A".
“We are facing a funds crunch owing to depleting support from the state and central governments. We are not in a position to bear the expenses on our own. Since a good NAAC score for JU would be a matter of pride for the state government, we have requested the education department for help,” said a JU official.
Metro reported in June last year that JU's deficit under non-salary heads for the 2022-23 fiscal was more than the grant it had received from the state government.