Hampi Kannada University gets Gescom notice for Rs 1 crore in power dues

BALLARI: The Hampi Kannada University, which has the distinction of being the only language research university in the state, is facing a huge fund crunch. In the meanwhile, it has been served a notice to pay up power dues of Rs 1,05, 74,695 by the Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited (Gescom).

The university has bills pending since last year and faces the possibility of power disconnection. With no government grants or adequate resources of its own, the university is going through tough times, sources said. While research has been hampered due to shortage of teaching staff, the university is facing trouble in paying salaries of temporary staff, publishing books, or even disbursing scholarships.

The university consumes about Rs 10 lakh worth of electricity every month and after the new vice-chancellor was appointed, the monthly bills are being paid. But with no government grants for the last one year, the university is in trouble now.

Vijayanagar district in-charge minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, who had visited the university recently, had promised to sort out the issues within a month. But just two weeks after his visit, the authorities have been served a notice by the power utility.