New Delhi: Delhi University’s School of Open Learning has an unclaimed amount of over Rs 18 crore, which has accumulated over the last 20 years as a part of library security refund. At present, the SOL charges Rs 200 from undergraduate students and Rs 500 from post-graduate students as the library security amount, which can be claimed once the course is over. The SOL is now planning to use the amount to upgrade the library facilities.

In a reply to an RTI application filed by law faculty student Mohit K Gupta, the SOL has disclosed a total amount of the library security amount lapsed for the deposit made from 1997 to March 2017 as Rs 18.25 crore.

The library security amount for undergraduate students from the year 1997 to 2000 was Rs 50 while for postgraduates was Rs 100. The amount was then increased to
Rs 100 for UG students and Rs 150 for the PG students from the year 2000 to 2003.

The varsity, through its finance branch has claimed that the lapsed security deposits are credited to the Vice-Chancellor’s Students Funds Account, which has allegedly been suspected of keeping funds of approximately Rs 1 crore.

The RTI reply did not divulge the information relating to fixed deposits and investments made out of such funds in the interests of the students. However, SOL director C.S. Dubey claimed that the deposits have not been lapsed and are secured with the varsity, which is being used for overhauling library facilities.

He added, “It is the student’s responsibility to claim the security refund back as a mechanism of any university.”