The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has asked its departments to submit budget proposals for the financial year 2025-2026.
A circular, dated October 11 and signed by finance and accounts officer Dr Charusheela Gayake, said the annual budget has to be prepared at least two months before the commencement of the new financial year. It instructs all department heads and heads of administrative departments to fill the attached form and send in their budget proposals by November 12.
Talking to The Indian Express, head of Marathi department Dr Tukaram Rongate said the department is looking to introduce around 20 new courses such as film writing. “We are also taking up more work in the Marathi Bhasha Bhavan and will put up old Marathi documents for display. We are also going to do a compilation of the Lokshahi paper which will require a budgetary allocation,” said Rongate.
Dr Rajendra Mhaske, head of the psychology department, refused to comment on the budget but said, “In general, we have a lot planned for the psychology department. We will complete 75 years next year so we have national and international conferences planned. We will also start an assessment service for some psychological conditions for students on campus and for outsiders also. Numerous other Rehabilitation Council of India-approved courses are also going to be introduced, according to the New Education Policy.”
Students demand better hostels
Meanwhile, students The Indian Express spoke to demanded an improvement in the condition of the hostels and the mess. A masters student from the department of statistics, on the condition of anonymity, said, “Out of the 10 washing machines, only two are currently functional. There are bedbugs in almost every building of the boys hostel. The mess food is also very problematic and even when insects are found in the food, nothing changes.”
Three other students confirmed the problems with the washing machines and the bed bugs. “Insects are also found regularly in the food served,” one of them alleged.
Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories
