Bhubaneswar, March 19: Funds to the tune of Rs 4 crore, released by the state government for the renovation and repair of hostels in Utkal University, are set to be returned.

The decision was taken since the authorities have failed to utilise the amount within the stipulated time.

An amount of Rs 19.11 crore was sanctioned for renovation of its 12 hostels and construction of a new girls’ hostel. The money was to be released in phases and the first instalment of Rs 4.12 crore was released last year.

The amount is yet to be utilised completely. Official sources said that only Rs 2 lakh was used last month to construct the boundary wall, which was damaged during Phailin.

While each of the 12 existing hostels had been sanctioned Rs 1 crore each for renovation, Rs 7.12 crore had been sanctioned for the construction of a new girls’ hostel.

“The grants were given on the condition that utilisation certificates of all previous grants will have to be submitted and that the grants have to be utilised by March 31. It is unfortunate. The differences among top officials of the varsity has led to delay in implementation various projects including the renovation work,” said a syndicate member.

It may be noted here that students have been complaining of choked sewer lines, unhygienic toilets and lack of water supply in what they describe “unsafe and dilapidated structures”.

The authorities had been blaming paucity of funds. Last month, girl students had locked up the main gate demanding repair of the hostel boundary wall. They had alleged that goons were taking advantage of broken structures and get inside the hostel.

“The sanctioned money could have been easily used for the repair of the hostel roof, flooring, sewerage repair and water supply, but unfortunately we could not use any,” said a professor.

Registrar of the varsity Banani Mohanty said: “The delay (in utilising the funds) was caused as the file relating to the hostel works was held up by certain senior officials of the varsity.”

“We had approached the higher education department and the construction and renovation work will now be handed over to the works department. The matter will soon be sorted out,” Mohanty said.

At present, the university hostels, which can accommodate 2,246 students, are accommodating more than 4,000 students.