JnU allocates 201cr for research purpose

JnU Correspondent :

Jagannath University has announced a budget of 201 crore taka for the fiscal year 2024–25. The budget was presented by Professor Dr. Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, the university’s treasurer, at the 96th syndicate meeting on Thursday.

This budget, recommended at the finance committee meeting held on June 24, was chaired by the Syndicate President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Sadeka Halim.

The proposed budget for 2024–25 is 201 crore taka, representing an increase of 14 crore taka from the revised deficit budget of 187 crore taka for the fiscal year 2023–24. This year’s budget includes a deficit of 37 crore (76 lakh taka). The University Grants Commission (UGC) has allocated 163 crore and 24 lakh taka out of the total proposed budget.

For the fiscal year 2024–25, the UGC has allocated only 4 crore taka for research, with 1 crore taka specifically earmarked for PhD research by university faculty and students. This research allocation constitutes just 2.46 percent of the main budget, which many stakeholders consider insufficient for the university’s needs.

The majority of the proposed 201 crore Taka budget will be allocated to salaries and allowances for the university’s teachers, officers, and staff, amounting to 115 crore 63 lakh Taka, or 71 percent of the main budget. Fuel costs are allocated 2 crore 70 lakh taka, a slight increase from last year’s 2 crore 50 lakh taka, aligning with the UGC’s expenditure limit.

In terms of primary health services for the university’s teachers, officers, staff, and students, the allocation has increased from 7 lakh taka in the previous fiscal year to 10 lakh taka this year. Despite the increase, this amount is considered very insufficient given the university’s population of 20,000 teachers and students.

Additionally, the allocation for the physical fitness centre and sports is only 25 lakh taka, compared to 20 lakh taka last year. The budget for fieldwork and educational tours has increased by 3 lakh taka, making the total allocation 15 lakh taka this year. Meanwhile, the allocation for events and festivals is only 35 lakh taka.