GUWAHATI: The reported financial crisis at Gauhati University has triggered fresh concern from two key stakeholders, with the Gauhati University Teachers' Association (GUTA) demanding the immediate publication of a White Paper on the institution's finances, while the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has questioned the university's decision to spend ₹2.08 crore on a VIP guest house facility despite reports of a severe revenue deficit.
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The association said the matter came up during deliberations following observations made at the Academic and Administrative Audit (AAA) Exit Meeting, 2026, as well as concerns reportedly raised by the Vice-Chancellor during an interaction with a section of faculty members.
According to GUTA, the committee examined the university's present and projected financial position, taking note of concerns over its ability to meet statutory and institutional commitments, including salaries, pensions, National Pension System (NPS) contributions and retirement-related liabilities.
The association said it had formally resolved to seek a comprehensive report from the university authorities outlining the institution's current financial status and future projections. It added that subsequent media reports, which claimed the university was facing an annual revenue deficit exceeding ₹80 crore and was considering measures such as reducing pension payments by 50 per cent, had only reinforced the need for an official clarification.
While refraining from commenting on figures attributed to unnamed sources, GUTA maintained that the seriousness of the reported financial situation warranted the immediate publication of a White Paper. It said such a document should include details of the university's recurring income and expenditure, major liabilities, committed expenditure, salary and pension obligations, NPS commitments, retirement liabilities and the rationale behind any proposed financial restructuring or cost-containment measures.
The teachers' body cautioned against adopting austerity measures that could adversely affect academic standards, teaching, employee service conditions or pensionary benefits. It also urged the university administration to convene an all-stakeholder meeting and called on the Executive Council to meet the Chancellor of Gauhati University, who is also the Governor of Assam, along with the Chief Minister, to work towards a long-term solution to the reported financial crisis.
Echoing concerns over the university's financial management, AASU questioned the decision to proceed with a ₹2.08-crore project for the construction of a VIP dining room, kitchen and staff quarters at the university guest house.
AASU president Utpal Sarma clarified that the student body was not opposed to infrastructure development but argued that such expenditure should not come at the expense of academic priorities or financial stability.
Referring to a recently floated tender, Sarma said there would have been no objection even if the university spent substantially more on infrastructure, provided there was no shortage of funds for academic activities and other essential institutional requirements. However, he described it as inappropriate for a university reportedly facing financial constraints to prioritise expenditure on a guest house VIP dining facility instead of addressing pressing academic and institutional needs.
Sarma said the matter had been brought to the attention of the Assam government's Education Department and urged the authorities to examine the expenditure in the context of the university's reported financial condition.
The concerns raised by both GUTA and AASU come amid growing public scrutiny over Gauhati University's financial health. Both organisations have called for greater transparency and clarification from the university administration, stressing that stakeholders deserve a clear picture of the institution's finances before any major restructuring or expenditure decisions are undertaken.