DU stands firm on affiliation of state-funded colleges amid funding row with Delhi govt

Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh affirmed on Thursday that the university would maintain its affiliation with 12 colleges, which receive complete funding from the state government. This statement from the vice-chancellor was prompted by the AAP-led Delhi government’s decision to withhold financial support for these colleges unless they were integrated into the state universities.

In December of the previous year, Delhi Education Minister Atishi raised concerns about alleged financial irregularities in these 12 colleges in a letter addressed to the Centre. Singh, expressing unwavering commitment to their position, stated to PTI that he hoped the state government would continue to provide financial backing to these colleges in the best interest of the students.

Responding to inquiries about a letter from Singh to Atishi on the matter, the Delhi government claimed that they had not received any such communication. In a statement to PTI, the state government asserted that funding for the academic year 2024-25 would only be released to these colleges if they were completely disaffiliated from Delhi University and became part of one of Delhi’s state universities.

The government emphasized that funding for these colleges would not be granted unless the de-affiliation occurred, citing irregularities in the colleges. If the de-merger did not take place, the funding would need to come from either the Centre or the University Grants Commission, as per the government’s stance.

However, on Thursday, Delhi University made public a letter dated January 16 from the VC to Atishi. In the letter, Singh urged the minister to withdraw her letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and urged the continuation of funding for the 12 colleges in the students’ interest.

“I request yourself (Atishi) the DO letter dated 01.12.2023 may please be withdrawn and continuity of funding to these colleges may not be disturbed in the interest of students of Delhi,” the letter read.

The vice-chancellor argued in the letter to the education minister that de-affiliation could not occur as these colleges were constituent colleges of the University of Delhi under the Delhi University Act 1922 passed by the Parliament. The letter also cited the DU Executive Council’s resolution on December 15, 2023, stating that all 12 colleges were constituent colleges of the university, hence de-affiliation was not applicable.

Earlier in the year, Atishi had written to the Centre, highlighting “irregularities” in the 12 Delhi University colleges funded by the city government. She pointed out serious irregularities and procedural lapses involving significant amounts from the public exchequer, emphasizing that due to their direct affiliation with DU, these colleges were not accountable to the Delhi government for fund utilization.

(With PTI inputs)