3 city colleges receive infra grants after waiting for years

MUMBAI: After waiting for more than six years, three colleges in Mumbai have been sanctioned infrastructure grants by Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), the Centrally-sponsored scheme by the ministry of human resource development (MHRD). Nagindas Khandwala College of Malad, Sir Vithaldas Thackersey College of Home Science of Santacruz and Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics of Churchgate are the three colleges that will receive a grant of Rs 2 crore each by the RUSA.

According to the guidelines of RUSA, the colleges applied for infrastructure grants needs to fit in certain criteria drawn by them for being eligible. Some of them include, credits, accreditations, number of courses and proper outcome, etc. All of the aforementioned colleges have accorded the NAAC ‘A’ rank and hence they are eligible for the scheme.

Since last several years, many colleges, including the government-aided ones, in the city had been waiting for these funds. Due to lack of funds, including the non-salary funds, the colleges faced trouble like improper infrastructure, no funds for amenities, no recruitment of professors, principals and faculty. However, now, as the grants have been sanctioned, the said colleges can start putting the money in use.

The grants can be utilised by the colleges for new constructions.

Talking to The Asian Age, Dr Ancy Jose, the principal of Nagindas College, said, “We had been running short of funds as they had even stopped providing non-salary grants to colleges. Though RUSA has sanctioned the amount, we are still waiting for the details.”

Other colleges that will get funds

Government College of Education, CTE (Parbhani)
Government College of Arts and Science (Aurangabad)
Jankidevi Bajaj College of Science (Wardha)
M.S. Kakade College (Pune)
Hislop College (Nagpur)
Vivekanad College (Kolhapur)
G.S. College of Commerce and Economics (Nagpur)
Deccan Education Society Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce Pune Autonomous (Pune)
Government Vidharbha Institute of Science and Humanities (Amravati)