PU approves Rs7.72b budget

LAHORE

Amid heavy security and boycott by two members, the Punjab University (PU) Syndicate in its meeting on Saturday approved Rs 7.727 billion budget of the university for year 2016-17. 

PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran presided over the meeting while two of the syndicate members, Assistant Professor Javed Sami and Lecturer Shumaila Gul, boycotted the meeting, terming it unlawful. They argued that since Dr Mujahid Kamran had the look after charge as VC, he was authorised to conduct only day to day affairs of the varsity and he could not take up policy matters such as related to the selection board, etc.

The PU syndicate approved the proposal of university authorities not to increase tuition fee of on campus university students. The university expects a total grant of Rs 2.445 billion from Higher Education Commission (HEC), 33 percent of the total budget. To encourage research activities, the university has increased research grant from Rs 110 million to Rs 120 million. 

The syndicate also approved recommendations to complete university selection board and approved increments of teachers on tenure track system (TTS). Under the historical initiative taken by VC Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, the university will continue to facilitate Balochistani students by offering free education, free boarding facilities and Rs 3,000 stipend per month to each student in the next year. 

Special students will also be provided with free education along with boarding facilities while students taking admission on sports basis will be provided with free education. The university will continue to waive off tuition fee of Hafiz-e-Quran.

The university has allocated Rs 70 million for overseas scholarships and Rs 70 million for participation in national and international conferences. In order to facilitate students, Punjab University is providing funds of Rs 100 million to its students in terms of scholarships, student affairs and career counseling and other activities. 

Moreover, HEC scholarships worth 80 million rupees and PEEF scholarships will also be provided to students. Punjab University is providing Rs 200 million hostel subsidy, Rs 33 million transport subsidy and Rs 6.5 million internet subsidy to the students. The net subsidy on the mentioned services has been increased from Rs 221 million to Rs 230 million and in addition to the above, the subsidy on electricity bills in teaching departments is also being provided. PU has allocated Rs 410 million for development projects. The syndicate also approved the anticipatory orders of the VC.

Sources said security was beefed up during the budget meeting in the wake of June 18 incident when the meeting was spoiled as a result of a scuffle between two groups of the teachers in the syndicate room. Later, the PU administration through its registrar also filed an application in the Muslim Town police station seeking action against the teachers who stormed the syndicate meeting.