COIMBATORE: Universities and colleges in Tamil Nadu are in a piquant situation over utilising the University Grants Commission funds allocated after a delay of two-and-a-half years under the XI plan period.Many institutions got funds for projects only in 2009 or 2010, whereas the XI plan period had started in 2007 itself. Now, institutions are forced to spend the entire money within the next few months since the XII plan period would start by mid-2012.The case of Bharathiar University in Coimbatore would best illustrate these institutions’ dilemma. The UGC had allotted Rs 14.99 crore for the university at the beginning of the XI plan period, including Rs 8.30 crore as development grants. “But we got the fund allocation news only on July 11, 2009 and the actual sanction was delayed by another six months. Now, we have to spend the entire grant within 33 months, which was meant for 60 months,” said P Thirumavalavan, Registrar, Bharathiar University. An UGC member said, “We allotted Rs 43,000 crore for institutions under the XI plan but only an estimated Rs 18,000 crore has been spent till now. “We will stop sending expert teams to inspect institutions. Now, colleges and universities will have to submit a business plan to the UGC for sanctioning grants. A common committee will examine the proposals and make recommendations,” an UGC member told Express.
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