Funds sanctioned to OU, Mahila universities short of expectations

Rashmi Bhumireddy
Despite Telangana government allocated Rs 100 crores to Osmania University and Telangana Mahila University each under  Telangana Budget 2024-2025, university officials expressed the opinion that funds are still inadequate. The authorities have expressed the hope that the Congress government would release more funds to promote education sector.
According to the officials of both the universities, generally, the funds allocated by the State government are used for infrastructure purposes and other developmental works. Apart from that both the Universities have their own significance in terms of heritage structures. To preserve them, they need more money. They also pointed out that the government allocates a particular amount but it may or may not release it fully. Sometimes the institutions do not receive funds, especially in the case of Women’s University.
Speaking to The Pioneer, officials  of Telangana Mahila Vishwavidayalam or Women University said, “ Despite the government allocating funds, they are not released. We have been demanding Rs 200 crore from the government for the past two  to three years but not receiving the funds. We don’t know whether this government will release funds this year. Also, Koti Women’s college which is not officially a university, the bill for changing its name to women university has not passed yet.”
Officials of Osmania University said, “We have requested the Telangana government to allocate Rs 108 crore for the varsity but it has set apart Rs 100 crore. But we are hoping that the current government will release funds this year. Though we have been getting funds for the past three years, they are not sufficient. We are using an internal budget or money to suffix these infrastructure related works. When we rely on an internal budget, it affects other aspects like faculty and workers salaries etc. These funds are mostly used for infrastructure related purposes like renovation of old buildings, launch of new buildings, repairs etc. However, the currently allocated funds are not sufficient for a big varsity like us.”