DU budget more focused on entertainment
Belal Hossain | Thursday, 17 July 2008
The allocation for entertainment in different departments of Dhaka University (DU) has been increased by more than 122 per cent in the budget for the fiscal 2008-09 compared to the previous year leaving some important sections like medical and educational materials neglected.
The university authorities have allocated Tk 2.0 million (20 lakh) for refreshment in 54 departments this year against Tk 0.9 million of the last fiscal.
But the allocation has been raised by only 7.8 per cent for the medical centre this fiscal in comparison with that of the last fiscal. The total allocation for the centre amounts to Tk 5.2 million this fiscal against Tk 4.8 million of last year.
Many students termed the increase in allocation for the medical centre unreasonable, as it is the only clinic for about 40,000 people including some 32,000 students, 1,500 teachers, 600 officials and 4,350 employees of the university.
Fourth-year student of Economics Department Nazrul Islam said after reviewing the DU budget book that it was not clear to them how the university authorities could lay more emphasis on entertainment for teachers than the health services for the students.
The authorities have also increased the allocation for educational materials and internet services. The enhancement of allocation in this section is only 23.5 per cent this fiscal totalling Tk 25 million while the allocation for duty allowances of teachers has been raised 78 per cent compared to that of the last fiscal.
When asked, DU Treasurer Syed Abul Kalam Azad told the FE, 'It may look large, if someone considers the increased allocation for refreshment in percentage.'
He, however, claimed that the authorities increased the allocations for all sections of the university taking into account the need of each section.
Azad also brushed aside the allegation of many students that they did not get essential medicines from the medical centre and they were advised to buy most of the tablets from outside.
The university authorities have allocated Tk 2.0 million (20 lakh) for refreshment in 54 departments this year against Tk 0.9 million of the last fiscal.
But the allocation has been raised by only 7.8 per cent for the medical centre this fiscal in comparison with that of the last fiscal. The total allocation for the centre amounts to Tk 5.2 million this fiscal against Tk 4.8 million of last year.
Many students termed the increase in allocation for the medical centre unreasonable, as it is the only clinic for about 40,000 people including some 32,000 students, 1,500 teachers, 600 officials and 4,350 employees of the university.
Fourth-year student of Economics Department Nazrul Islam said after reviewing the DU budget book that it was not clear to them how the university authorities could lay more emphasis on entertainment for teachers than the health services for the students.
The authorities have also increased the allocation for educational materials and internet services. The enhancement of allocation in this section is only 23.5 per cent this fiscal totalling Tk 25 million while the allocation for duty allowances of teachers has been raised 78 per cent compared to that of the last fiscal.
When asked, DU Treasurer Syed Abul Kalam Azad told the FE, 'It may look large, if someone considers the increased allocation for refreshment in percentage.'
He, however, claimed that the authorities increased the allocations for all sections of the university taking into account the need of each section.
Azad also brushed aside the allegation of many students that they did not get essential medicines from the medical centre and they were advised to buy most of the tablets from outside.