KOCHI: Even after four months since it was granted autonomy, the Maharaja’s College has not received any funds from the State Government so far to take full advantage of the new status.
The Governing Council chairman Dr. P. K. Abdul Aziz, who is upset at the developments, told DC that the process would not move forward without funds and there would be no clarity on the roadmap ahead .
Maharaja’s College Principal Dr T V Francy said he had taken up the matter with the Higher Education Department officials the other day and they had assured to release part of the funds in two weeks.
“They said what happening was only procedural delay and, in the first instalment, Rs 1.42 crore will be released as Plan fund and Rs 23 lakh as non-Plan fund. The last Budget had earmarked Rs 5 crore for Maharaja’s as part of granting autonomy and it could lapse on March end. They assured us that the deadline would be extended to September,” said Mr Francy.
The upcoming Budget is also expected to provide funds for autonomous colleges. “Because of the shortage of funds, we have not been able to invite eminent academicians for delivering talks and conducting seminars. But other activities and formalities are happening as scheduled.
We are on course to be fully autonomous from coming June,” Mr Francy said. He also said that the academic council had been formed and the syllabus framed. Another committee for admission and the Board of Studies too have been formed.
