Patna: The persistent delay in submission of utilisation certificates by state universities in Bihar has led to significant financial indiscipline on campuses, causing hardships for staff due to delayed salary releases. This issue came to the forefront during a recent meeting of vice-chancellors chaired by Governor-cum-Chancellor Syed Ata Hasnain at Lok Bhavan.
Financial Indiscipline and Budget Approval Delays
Officials from the state higher education department informed the chancellor that most universities have developed a habit of delayed submission of utilisation certificates, resulting in financial indiscipline and delayed approval of annual budgets. It was revealed that universities have not submitted utilisation certificates for grants worth over Rs 600 crore.
Governor's Directive
Taking a strict view of the matter, Hasnain directed vice-chancellors to submit the pending certificates at the earliest to ensure the smooth functioning of universities. The state higher education director admitted that utilisation certificates for grants worth hundreds of crores were not submitted on time. However, following the chancellor’s directive, universities have begun submitting them. The chancellor’s secretariat is monitoring the process.
Impact on Staff Salaries and Development Projects
Education department sources said institutions are facing a financial crisis, delaying salaries and development projects primarily due to the failure to submit utilisation certificates. This procedural lapse, along with non-compliance in updating employees’ data on government portals, has resulted in delayed salary and pension payments to teaching and non-teaching staff.
RUSA Funds Affected
The sources added that several institutions have failed to submit utilisation certificates for funds received under schemes such as Rashtriya Uchchtar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), halting further financial assistance. Due to failure to meet audit and documentation requirements, salary and pension grants are delayed, with funds often released on an ad-hoc basis.
Previous Warnings by BSHEC
The Bihar State Higher Education Council (BSHEC) had earlier warned universities of shifting funds to better-performing institutions due to their continued failure to properly utilise funds and submit utilisation certificates on time.
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About the Author: Basant Kumar Mishra has been pursuing journalism as a hobby for the last 53 years and with TOI since July 1987. Covering higher education besides the environment and other human stories. He has taught geology at Patna University for more than 41 years and also served as the principal of Patna Science College. He also served as a member of the National Knowledge Commission working group on undergraduate education (2005-08).
