Chief Minister hands over model of cheque to Mar Ivanios College authorities
"Thiruvananthapuram: The state government is struggling to pay the funds for colleges, granted under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) scheme of the central government for upgrading the higher educational institutions, as crores of rupees received were diverted to other heads of account.
The colleges came to know about the financial crunch of the government after RUSA fund distribution event, held here at Mar Ivanios College on Tuesday, where the chief minister was also present. The highly publicized event turned out to be a gimmick after the financial department did not give the granted money. 99 colleges were to get one crore each as first installment under RUSA- 60 lakh from central government and 40 lakh from state government. Central government's fund was credited into the treasury account in June 2018. Colleges, who expected to receive one crore -after adding the state government's contribution- got only 10 lakhs. Diversion of funds came into light as the colleges probed the reason for the cut in the amount.
The government disbursed only 10 crores instead of 100 crores. The higher education department says that the balance amount will be credited to bank accounts of the colleges. Government is struggling to pay even the central government's contribution. Even the 10 lakhs sum was granted after several months since the higher education department sent the file to the financial department.
RUSA funds were meant for infrastructure development of the colleges. In addition to this, Rs. 25 lakh was granted to Human Resource Development Centre of Kerala University.
Five autonomous colleges were granted five crore each. The grants to these colleges were not disbursed even though it was announced earlier.
Rs. 2.5 crore is to be distributed among all the colleges including five autonomous colleges.
Though the chief minister handed over the model of cheque to Mar Ivanios College of Thiruvananthapuram with customary fanfare, the funds to the five autonomous colleges were not released.