Chandigarh: Panjab University is awaiting nearly Rs 213 crore from the Punjab govt towards pension-revision arrears, hostel construction and post-matric scholarships. However, the varsity has received only Rs 31.67 crore of the state’s annual maintenance grant of Rs 102.59 crore for 2026-27.With the Board of Finance approving the budget for 2027-28 on Thursday, the university has projected a Punjab grant of Rs 107.78 crore for the next financial year, while previous dues remain unresolved.The largest pending amount is Rs 128.95 crore sought as a one-time grant for pension-revision arrears. The liability follows the revision of pensions under revised UGC pay scales for eligible retired teaching and non-teaching employees. The university has listed the amount separately in its budget estimates, with around 2,100 employees expected to benefit from the revision.Another Rs 43.92 crore remains pending from the Rs 48.92 crore sanctioned for hostel construction in Aug 2023. The grant was intended for the new Boys’ Hostel No. 9 and additional floors of Girls’ Hostel No. 11.After waiting for more than two years, PU received only around Rs 5 crore as a mobilisation advance in 2025-26. The state subsequently indicated that the remaining Rs 35 crore would be released, but the university continues to await the funds.The delay has held back the expansion of hostel accommodation. Girls’ Hostel No. 11, also known as Devi Ahilyabai Hall, has only two functional floors, while the proposed boys’ hostel has not been built.The third major component is the Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) scheme. PU officials pegged the pending amount at around Rs 40 crore. The university had sought Rs 36.51 crore from the state in Oct 2024, but the dues remain unresolved, adding to the financial uncertainty surrounding scholarship payments for eligible students.The annual maintenance grant is separate from these outstanding claims. PU’s revised estimates for 2026-27 project Rs 412.17 crore from the University Grants Commission against Rs 102.59 crore from Punjab. Of the state’s annual grant, Rs 31.67 crore had been received between April and Aug 2026.The Centre-state funding split remains far from the 60:40 arrangement envisaged by a consultative committee in 1976. In 2025-26, revised estimates showed Rs 388.84 crore from the Centre against Rs 95.92 crore from Punjab, a split of roughly 80:20. The 2026-27 estimates reflect a similar pattern.PU has projected total income and expenditure of Rs 942.21 crore each for 2027-28. The continued pendency of the separate pension, infrastructure and scholarship claims means the university is entering another budget year while awaiting substantial amounts from the state.BOX: Punjab funds awaitedPension-revision arrears: Rs 128.95 croreHostel construction: Rs 43.92 crorePost-Matric Scholarship dues: Around Rs 40 croreTotal pending: Around Rs 212.87 croreBOX: Annual maintenance grantPunjab grant, 2026-27: Rs 102.59 croreReceived up to Aug 2026: Rs 31.67 crorePunjab grant projected for 2027-28: Rs 107.78 croreCentre-state funding ratio: Approximately 80:20, against the 60:40 arrangement envisaged in 1976.
