A college funded by the Delhi government has paid reduced salary to its faculty members in July and not paid the salary for August citing financial crunch, triggering a debate over funding to public institutions.

A notice issued by Hem Chand Jain, officiating principal of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, said the unpaid salary would be paid when funds were available.

“This is for the information of all permanent teaching staff that due to paucity of funds, Rs 30,000 has been retained from net salary of assistant professors and Rs 50,000 from net salary of associate professors for the month of July 2022. The same will be released as and when the funds are available,” the notice said.

There are 115 faculty members and 75 non-teaching staff who have been affected by the decision.

Jain did not wish to share details of the funds released by the Delhi government but said the funds available with the college had been disbursed.

“If there are no funds, what can I do?” Jain said.

There are nearly 3,000 students enrolled in the institution, which is fully funded by the Delhi government.

College chairperson Sunil Kumar, who is a nominee of the Delhi government in the governing body, said funds had been released by the state government for payment of salary. He also issued a showcause letter to the officiating principal.

“When the required amount was released under the salary head by the Directorate of Higher Education, it is learnt that employees of college have been paid their salary for the month of July after retaining Rs 50,000 of associate professor/professor and Rs 30,000 of assistant professor. Please clarify with whose permission you deduct this amount,” letter from Kumar said.

Faculty members of the college said the Delhi government was at fault in releasing grants. “In the present case, the principal is not wrong. The Delhi government has delayed the release of funds,” a faculty member said.

The college is ranked 21st nationally, but shortage of funds would affect its performance, the faculty member said.

The college has also flagged difficulty in the payment of electricity bills due to lack of funds.