JUTA seeks clarity on IoE funding for Jadavpur University

The Jadavpur University Teachers' Association (JUTA) has reached out to Sukanta Majumdar, the minister of state for education. They are addressing the ongoing controversy regarding the status of the Institute of Eminence (IoE). In their letter, signed by JUTA's president and general secretary, they responded to questions from MP Samik Bhattacharya concerning the University Grants Commission (UGC) IoE scheme. JUTA explained that the scheme was designed with a budget of Rs 1,000 crore over five years. Jadavpur University submitted a project proposal for Rs 1,015 crore and was chosen as one of the top eight institutions by the expert committee. The association noted that the UGC guidelines did not originally include a provision for project funds of Rs 3,299 crore. They stated that a matching grant requirement was added later, after the top institutions were selected. JUTA has requested the minister to review these developments and consider including Jadavpur University in the IoE scheme, emphasizing its prestigious status and need for government support. Additionally, interim Vice-Chancellor Bhaskar Gupta mentioned that Jadavpur University plans to ask the UGC to refund Rs 75 lakh of the application fee. The university had spent Rs 1 crore when applying for the IoE tag in 2018, and they are entitled to a 75% refund now that the status was denied in 2023.