Delhi government orders halt to funding of 28 DU colleges

New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) The Delhi government on Monday ordered a halt to the funding of 28 Delhi University (DU) colleges, which are wholly or partially funded by it, after they failed to constitute governing bodies.

"(I) have ordered the Finance Department to stop funding for all Delhi government funded colleges, as DU is not willing to have governing bodies for the last 10 months," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted.

In another tweet, he alleged corruption as the intent behind the decision by the University. "I can not allow unchecked corruption and irregularities to be sustained on Delhi government funds in the name of Education."

The decision was taken at a meeting between Sisodia and the Finance Department on Monday.

He added that DU has been deliberately stalling the process of formation of governing bodies since September last year.

The series of events cited by Sisodia in another tweet mentioned that the DU Executive Council disapproved the governing body list sent by the state government twice this month, on July 3 and July 17.

Governing bodies at colleges are responsible for taking several administrative decisions. A full governing body comprises 15 members, out of which five are nominated by the state government.

Out of 28 colleges, 12 are wholly funded by the Delhi government, while the rest are partially provided for.

Maharaja Agrasen College, B.R. Ambedkar College, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, Keshav Mahavidyalaya and Bhagini Nivedita College are among the colleges wholly funded by the Delhi government.

College of Vocational Studies, Rajdhani College, Shivaji College, Motilal Nehru College, Aurobindo College, Kalindi College and Shyama Prasad Mukherji College are among colleges that are partially funded.