Mumbai University asks for research bills before work even begins

In the race to utilize it’s research budget for 2017-18, Mumbai University has asked teacher who have applied for Minor Research Grants to submit bills for their research, even before they start work on the projects.  

As per the circular issued by the Academic Planning and Development section on Monday, 468 teachers from the various colleges and university departments have been given grants ranging between Rs 15,000 to 90,000. 

Eligible teachers have to submit bills for 40 per cent of their total project expenditure before March 31. This raises questions over the quality of research that would be conducted with such grants. 

The move is now seen as an attempt to grant funds before time runs out. The University of Mumbai Academic Staff Association (UMASA) has written to the administration, saying, “The university was supposed to sanction grants in June, and many teachers are yet to get sanction letters. What quality of research will come out of this process?” asked Dr Balaji Kendre, president of UMASA. “The amount sanctioned is way lower than the UGC guidelines, which is Rs 1 lakh ”

A university spokesperson said that while the grant is prior sanctioned, with the financial year coming to an end, the varsity has demanded the bills of expenditure. “We will extend the dates till April, but the bills should be of March itself” he said.