Hampi Kannada University has recently received a staggering power bill amounting to Rs 77 lakh, including some pending arrears. Expressing the financial challenges faced by the university, the vice-chancellor has written a letter to Energy Minister KJ George, urging for the bill to be waived. The letter has garnered significant attention on social media, drawing dissatisfaction from the public regarding the university’s financial situation.
In his letter, Vice-Chancellor Paramashiva Murthy highlighted the challenges faced by Hampi Kannada University since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2019. He emphasized the increasing difficulty in managing the university’s operations, citing pending bills that have accumulated over time. The total outstanding amount has now exceeded Rs 77 lakh.
In 2020, the university staff had appealed to the then Yediyurappa government for the release of approximately Rs 8 crore to meet the salary requirements of contract workers. University administration officials have acknowledged the ongoing financial crises faced by the institution over the past few years. They assert that requesting funds to support students is a constitutional right, including the possibility of seeking a waiver for the electricity bill generated by GESCOM. In the event that government assistance is not feasible, they express willingness to settle the bill in due course with the permission of GESCOM officials.