The Delhi Government on Wednesday, March 26, released the much awaited grant for pending salaries of the teachers and non-teaching staff of 12 colleges affiliated to Delhi University and are fully funded by it. The teachers have been struggling for their salaries for two consecutive months following a dispute over the formation of governing bodies in colleges funded by the Delhi Government.
In an order by the Directorate of Higher Education, the Department approves, “the release of an amount of Rs 40,75,00,000 (Rs Forty Crores Seventy Five Lakhs only) as balance payment of 3rd/final instalment of grant-in-aid to 100% funded colleges under Delhi Government under Demand no. 6 revenue head as per the details given below for current financial year 2019-20.” The grant is likely to bring relief to teachers and non-teaching staff who were eagerly waiting for their salaries amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Responding to the move, Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) President Rajib Ray, in a letter to Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia, said, “We hope that colleges will receive grants without further delay so that employees can receive salaries pending since January.”
He added, “Grants sanctioned are merely enough for covering salaries of the past two months. If so, we request that the Directorate of Higher Education may be asked to enquire into the same and to release adequate grants to cover all pending dues including salaries, reimbursements and arrears due to employees on account of the 7th Pay Revision and for adequate infrastructure development and maintenance.”
