Avinash Azad
The financial condition of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) in Rajouri has reached an alarming stage, with the institution reportedly struggling to pay staff wages and meet basic operational expenses. The grim reality came to light after the Jammu and Kashmir government, in a written reply to a question raised by MLA Javed Iqbal Choudhary on Wednesday, revealed that the university is operating under severe fiscal distress following the denial of annual funds by the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board.
According to the government’s reply, BGSBU has so far received ₹10,375.49 lakh as grant-in-aid from the J&K Government, ₹715.09 lakh as Capex grant, and ₹5,679.31 lakh from internal resources such as student fees — totaling ₹16,054.80 lakh in receipts. However, the university’s expenditure during the same period stands at ₹17,183.39 lakh, leaving a deficit of ₹1,128.59 lakh.
The government further disclosed that the Waqf Board’s annual contribution of ₹2 crore per year, which the university had been receiving earlier, has not been released since October 2019, despite repeated reminders from the BGSBU administration.
“For the current financial year 2025–26, a budget grant-in-aid of ₹35 crore has been provided towards salaries of permanent employees, whereas the actual salary expenditure is estimated at ₹48.48 crore — resulting in a shortfall of ₹13.48 crore,” the government stated.
Officials admitted that there is no budgetary support for filling vacant teaching and non-teaching posts or for meeting general establishment expenses such as operations and maintenance, which are being sustained through the university’s meager internal resources.
Sources in the Higher Education Department warn that the financial paralysis may soon affect the university’s academic and research functions. “Without Waqf support and enhanced government aid, BGSBU faces the risk of administrative and academic collapse,” a senior official said.
The revelations have triggered concern among the university fraternity and students, who fear that BGSBU, once envisioned as a major centre of learning in the Pir Panjal region, is now heading towards an unprecedented financial breakdown.
