SHILLONG: The North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) has opposed implementation of the Hill Areas Special Allowance (HASA) for the staff of NEHU, stating that there is fund cut for the infrastructure development at the cost of providing HASA to the teachers.
Addressing a news conference on Thursday, NEHUSU adviser Pynkmenlang Sanmiet said HASA which was implemented since 1995 has affected the infrastructure development of the University.
It was through an ordinance approved by the President of India, who is the Visitor to the University, that HASA was implemented in 1995.
HASA is the additional amount paid to the staff at the rate of 12 per cent of the basic pay.
As per NEHUSU, though the Centre had withdrawn HASA in 2009, NEHU is continuing with it through the ordinance.
The NEHUSU adviser wanted to know how the staff can avail HASA at a time when they are paid 12.5 per cent of the basic pay as special duty allowance (SDA) as per the Sixth Pay Commission.
According to NEHUSU, while the teachers avail HASA, the infrastructure development is affected at NEHU as there is cut in funds to pay HASA to the teachers.
There is delay in providing better hostel facilities for students on the part of NEHU and moreover, Rs 2 crore meant for infrastructural development in the University was withheld during 2013-14.
NEHUSU pointed out that withholding of grants out of the approved non- plan budget of 2013-14 was to the tune of Rs 11.13 crore.
This led to a closing negative (deficit) balance of Rs 3.09 crore on March 31, 2014. Subsequent year’s withholding of Rs 10.04 crore led to closing negative balance of Rs 4.69 crore on March 31, 2015 and for 2015-16, the withholding of grant went by a quantum jump of Rs 41.82 crore, NEHUSU pointed out.
With the trend of withholding of grants, the financial health of University is badly affected, NEHUSU added.
Earlier, the students demanded better buses for conveyance of the students, adequate internet and library facilities and proper sports infrastructure like cricket ground, swimming pools and other extra-curricular facilities that will contribute to the student’s overall development.
The NEHUSU had taken up these issues including the need to stop HASA with Union HRD Minister Smriti Zubin Irani during her visit to the University on March 29.
