Mangaluru: Full-time PhD researchers at Mangalore University who are eligible for monthly fellowships (JRF/SRF) have been left financially strained as the disbursement has been delayed for over five months.
Earlier, scholars experienced delays of up to 1.5 months, but this year the wait has extended much longer. Scholars under the Junior Research Fellowship are entitled to ₹25,000 per month, while those under Senior Research Fellowship receive ₹30,000. Currently, there are around 78 SC/ST scholars on the university campus affected by this delay.
Researchers expressed frustration, saying that sustaining daily life and continuing academic work without these funds has become increasingly difficult. One scholar noted a lack of transparency from the finance department about when the pending amount will be credited. Another student said their claim forms are frequently returned, with officials raising irrelevant objections, forcing scholars to repeatedly visit the administration block.
An official from the SC/ST cell attributed the delay to financial challenges faced by the university. They added that new scholars’ fellowship approvals are in process and will be cleared soon.
A proposal to reduce the stipend from ₹25,000 to ₹10,000 per month to ease the financial burden was tabled, but strongly opposed by syndicate members, who insisted on maintaining the existing structure.
Finance Officer Y Sangappa stated that no fellowships have been released since December, citing administrative transitions and incomplete bill submissions as causes. However, he assured that the payments will be processed shortly.
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