Ranchi, Oct. 29: Ranchi University’s ambitious plans to install close-circuit cameras in colleges and post-graduate departments has run into rough weather with the University Grants Commission (UGC) failing to release funds under the Tenth Plan to the varsity.

University officials, after a meeting with college principals on May 27, 2002, decided to install close-circuit cameras in colleges to keep an eye on truant teachers and students. The cameras are scheduled to be installed by January next year.

University spokesperson S.S. Akhtar said the university was still waiting for release of UGC funds for which the proposal was submitted in November last year.

In an effort to expedite funds flow from the UGC, university officials had sought utilisation certificates of funds released under Ninth Plan from college principals and post-graduate heads by November 2002. A team of UGC officials, who visited Ranchi University on November 24, met post-graduate heads to review funds utilisation and take stock of different projects for which funds had been released during the Ninth Plan.

University sources said post-graduate heads and college principals held a meeting with UGC officials and presented proposal papers for the Tenth Plan for their approval. They requested for periodic release of funds under different heads at the meeting, but UGC officials asked the university to forward the papers to the UGC headquarters separately.

Several months down the line, UGC is yet to clear the funds, which also include money earmarked for the cameras and other computerisation projects. University sources attributed the delay in the flow of funds to dissatisfaction of the UGC officials who were unimpressed with the proposed utilisation of the funds.

According to university officials, the close-circuit cameras would help keep a watch over students who bunk classes and teachers who sign the attendance register but do not attend classes. A computer installed in the principal’s chamber will monitor the camera images, which in turn will be linked to a master computer in the vice-chancellor’s office.

The colleges shortlisted for the installation of the gadgets in the first phase included Ranchi College, Nirmala College, Ranchi Women’s College, S.S. Memorial College, J.N. College, R.L.S.Y. College, Jamshedpur Women’s College, Graduate College for Women (Jamshedpur) and Mahila College (Chaibasa).