Jagannath University Syndicate on Thursday adopted Tk201 crore budget for fiscal 2024-25. Professor Dr Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, the Treasurer of the university, presented the operational and development budget at the 96th syndicate meeting.
This budget was recommended by the finance committee at its meeting held on June 24. The meeting was chaired by Syndicate President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Sadeka Halim. For fiscal 2023-24, the revised deficit budget allocation was Tk 187 crore.
This years budget allocation increased by Tk 14 crore . Out of Tk 201 crore, the University Grants Commission provided Tk163 crore 24 lakh. The UGC has allocated Tk 4 crore for research for the fiscal 2024-25, including Tk one crore y for PhD research by university faculty and students.
The research allocation constitutes just 2.46 per cent of the main budget. According to university officials this budget is insufficient compared to the needs. An analysis of the budget reveals that the major part of the budget for 2024-25 will be spent on salaries and allowances of teachers, officers, and staff.
A total of Tk 115 crore 63 lakh, which is 71per cent of the budget, will be spent on payment of salaries.
Additionally, Tk 2 crore 70 lakh will be spent on fuel, up from Tk 2 crore 50 lakh of last year. The expenditure limit set by the UGC for fuel costs was Tk 2 crore 70 lakh. In fiscal 2023-24, the allocation for primary health services for the universitys teachers, officers, staff, and students was Tk 7 lakh. This year, the allocation has been increased by Tk 3 lakh to Tk 10 lakh, which is insufficient to meet primary health care expenses of the universitys 20,000 teachers and students.
Additionally, the allocation for the physical fitness centre and sports is only Tk 25 lakh up from last years Tk 20 lakh. The budget for fieldwork and educational tours has been increased by Tk 3 lakh to Tk 15 lakh.
Teachers said additional funding would be needed for research. Professor Dr. Anwar Hossain, Director of the Research Cell said that the UGC allotted a small amount for research.
Dr Mohsin Reza, the Universitys Finance Director said that the UGCs grant for research fells short of the requirement. Professor Dr Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, the s Treasurer said the allocations have decreased in different areas.
