Higher education grants to autonomous bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and Higher Educational Institutes funded by the Ministry of Education have increased by nearly 44% to Rs 34,639.96 crore in 2022-23, up from Rs 23,988.63 crore in 2018-19. Furthermore, funds for salaries of personnel employed in these institutes have grown by almost 36% to Rs 15,396.82 crore in 2022-23 from Rs 11,243.76 crore in 2018-19.
Subhas Sarkar, Minister of State (MoS) Education, delivered the information in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament. “Every year, funds are released to institutions by the Ministry of Education based on demands received from institutions and funds allocated by the Ministry of Finance,” the minister said in response to a question about the alleged non-release of funds to higher education institutions since April.
Under the planned Higher Education Council of India (HECI) law, the three regulatory bodies UGC, AICTE, and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) are now being prepared for merger. However, detractors claim that the law doesn’t contain any clauses addressing award distribution. The Ministry of Education will have exclusive jurisdiction to grant funding, according to the draft bill.
Stay Update with FELA|
