UoP proposes a whopping R 446.99 cr budget

The University of Pune (UoP) budget for 2012-13 has shot up to Rs 446.99 crore, a good Rs 62.16 crore over 2011-12, which was at Rs 384.83 crore.

Tabled before the UoP senate by Pandit Vidyasagar, the budget makes provisions of Rs 34.06 crore for student-centric activities.

The senate meeting was about to get adjourned for the day on Saturday when the budget was introduced. The meeting was chaired by acting vice-chancellor (VC) Sanjay Chahande and registrar ML Jadhav. Discussion on the budget will take place at the senate meeting on Sunday.

The budget earmarks Rs 20 lakh for creating an alumni centre, which was proposed by former vice chancellor RK Shevgaonkar. Another provision Rs 39 lakh has been made for the competitive examinations centre. Rs 25 lakh has been allocated for organising Avishkar competition, Rs 30 lakh for MPhil, PhD research scholarships and Rs 2.5 crore for Krantijyoti Savitrimata Phule scholarship programme for women.

The proposed world class sports complex has allocation of Rs 2.5 crore and Rs 8 crore for students facilitation centre. Another sum of Rs 8 crore has been allocated for blind laboratory, Rs 1.72 crore for hostel facility, Rs 7.36 crore for student welfare scheme and Rs 1.42 crore for international students’ centre.

An amount of Rs 6.93 crore has been allotted for Jaykar Library maintenance, development and book purchases.

The UoP has allotted Rs 1.35 crore for social initiatives. These include FM Radio (Rs 45 lakh allocation), adult and continuous education centre (Rs 25 lakh), senior citizens centre (Rs 10.5 lakh) and Samarth Bharat Abhiyaan (Rs 50 lakh).

The budget made provision of Rs84.08 crore for salaries and pensions, HRD training, administrative training of non-teaching staff and housing scheme for class IV and class III staff.

An amount of Rs 14.6 crore has been earmarked for excellence programmes for affiliated colleges and institutes and to improve their educational quality and other infrastructure expenses. Similarly, Rs 25.02 crore has been allocated for purchase of various educational tools.