Tue Jul 15 14:27:29 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:
**Headline: Bharathiar University Faces Financial Strain, Sparks Concern**
**COIMBATORE, July 15, 2025** – Bharathiar University (BU) is facing a growing financial crisis, triggering apprehension within the academic community. The university is reportedly using interest from its corpus funds, intended for long-term growth, to cover daily operational costs like salaries, indicating a significant revenue-expenditure imbalance.
The financial troubles stem from the decline of the Distance Education wing, previously a major revenue source, following University Grants Commission (UGC) restrictions. With examination and affiliation fees as the remaining primary revenue sources, delays in approvals from the Secretary of Higher Education further exacerbate the problem. Irregular block grants from the state government over the past decade have also contributed to the institution’s financial woes.
Faculty members fear that the depletion of corpus funds will jeopardize their retirement and pension benefits. The absence of a permanent Vice-Chancellor for over three years is cited as a major contributing factor to the University’s leadership vacuum and lack of strategic direction.
Former Vice-Chancellor G. Thiruvasagam warned that BU could face a similar fate to Madurai Kamaraj and Madras Universities. He emphasized the need for a Vice-Chancellor with strong academic and administrative skills to navigate the financial challenges. Thiruvasagam also acknowledged that the frequent transfers of the Secretary of Higher Education hinder the proper and timely administration of the universities.
Members of teaching and non-teaching staff are now looking to the UGC for permission to offer undergraduate programs through distance learning as a means of achieving financial stability. The current situation has heightened the urgent need for strong leadership and financial reforms.