Shivaji University approves 587 crore budget for 2026-27; 27 crore earmarked for research

Kolhapur: The management council of Shivaji University, Kolhapur, has approved an annual budget of Rs587 crore for the 2026-27 academic year during its senate meeting. The budget reflects a deficit of Rs8.91 crore, which the administration said will be covered using the university's internal funds.The meeting was held at the Rajarshi Shahu Senate Hall under the chairmanship of vice-chancellor Suresh Gosavi. Pro-vice-chancellor Jyoti Jadhav and registrar V.N. Shinde were also in attendance. Senate member Raghunath Dhamakle presented the budget, which places a heavy emphasis on academic excellence, including a dedicated provision of Rs27 crore to promote research.To bolster the quality of research, the university has allocated Rs2.65 crore for library resources, including books and journals. Additionally, Rs4.14 crore has been set aside for computer system development, while Rs15.73 crore has been earmarked for furniture, electrical infrastructure, and IT hardware.Student welfare also received significant attention. The budget provides Rs2.50 crore for construction of a new hostel and Rs2.16 crore for repairs of existing hostels and mess facilities. A further Rs12 lakh was allocated specifically for the research scholars' hostel. For sports development, Rs34 lakh has been sanctioned for ground maintenance, Rs30 lakh for equipment, and Rs15 lakh to support athletes participating in international competitions.A report from the newly established student grievance redressal cell was presented, noting that the concerns of 11 students have been successfully addressed.The senate witnessed heated exchanges between members and the administration over the university's handling of sewage and effluent treatment plant (ETP) projects. Members expressed frustration when the administration failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding environmental management. Eventually, the administration admitted it had received an official notice from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).The Q&A session was particularly tense, with only six questions addressed within the hour. Senate member advocate Abhijit Kapse criticised the administration over the number of vacant seats on the board of studies, calling the situation "unacceptable."The most serious allegations came from advocate Abhishek Mithari, who raised alarm over disposal of chemical waste and sewage from the administrative buildings, laboratories, and canteens. He pointed out that the ETP system is currently non-operational."The university generates 4 lakh litres of sewage daily, which is being discharged into the ground without scientific treatment. In some areas, this waste flows directly into Rajaram Lake," Mithari said. He took the administration to task for ignoring notices from the Pollution Control Board and the Ujlaiwadi Gram Panchayat, demanding an independent, high-level inquiry into the matter.