Cash-Strapped Colleges in Kolkata — In several of Kolkata’s colleges, students and faculty alike are bracing for more than tough semesters—they’re navigating gaping security gaps as cash-strapped institutions struggle to fund basic safety infrastructure like CCTV cameras, boundary walls, lighting, and guards.
With annual budgets falling short and limited government support, safety is frequently sidelined. The result? Campus spaces increasingly feel unsecured—raising alarm among parents, students, and advocacy groups.
Cash-Strapped Colleges in Kolkata: Financial Crunch at the Core
Most of these institutions rely on a mix of tuition fees, old government grants, and token donations. But with rising costs in maintenance, wages, utilities, and staff, “security” often drops from priority lists.
College principals paint a stark picture:
- Half-built boundary walls—left unfinished due to funding gaps
- CCTV plans shelved after vendor bids eclipsed budgets
- Delayed salaries for security staff, raising retention issues
Some estimate the shortfall at ₹20–30 lakh annually, forcing improvisation—and masking campus vulnerabilities.
Real-Life Impacts on Safety
1. Open, Robbed Memorabilia Rooms
Without proper locks or cameras, student rooms, labs, and departmental equipment storage have seen frequent thefts. Even exam papers have gone missing during unmonitored hours.
2. After-Hours Vulnerability
During late evening library or lab sessions, students report random trespassers walking through campuses—some possibly sleeping overnight in unused rooms.
3. Gendered Risks
Without secure lighting or guard patrols, female students avoid evening classes, raise safety concerns, and reduce campus life diversity. This emotional toll on empowerment is significant.
Why Security Budgets Dry Up
Multiple systemic causes contribute:
- Privatisation and fee caps: State rules limit tuition hikes regardless of inflation
- Grant stagnation: Government grants from UGC, state education, and RUSA haven’t kept pace or come with strict conditions
- Shifted priorities: Allocations prioritized physical assets or staff salaries—never security
Simply put, even well-meaning administrators find themselves unable to fund vital safety services.
Voices From the Ground
- Dr. Suparna Ghosh, Principal, South Kolkata College:
“Every rupee goes to salaries and lab upkeep. Security cameras are eternally on a pending procurement list.”
- Anita Sen, 2nd-year academic:
“I avoid evening classes now. I walk four blocks with my friends before I feel safe again.”
- Kaushik Basu, head of Teachers’ Association:
“We alerted the government about boundary-wall breaches and equipment thefts—but funds are just not available.”
Successful Security Schemes Elsewhere
Despite financial limits, some institutions have found ways forward:
- Crowd-sourced funding campaigns: Alumni/parent contributions dedicated to CCTV and lighting
- Public–private partnerships: Tech vendors offered systems in exchange for branding rights
- Contractual guard rosters: Hiring guards through third-party agencies—cost-neutral compared to faculty salaries
Such models show that creative budgeting can bring tangible safety benefits—if administrators innovate.
Policy & Regulatory Gaps
Security in higher education is guided by UGC rules, state education mandates, RUSA financial rules, and local policing guidelines. However:
- Security funds aren’t ring-fenced—they’re included under generic “maintenance” budgets
- Funding is reactive—setup happens post-incident rather than proactively
- There’s no standardized audit system to monitor campus safety
Institutions face penalties in accreditations, but no fiscal incentive is tied to maintaining safe campuses.
Comparative Insight: India & Abroad
Other Indian Cities
Mumbai colleges use geo-fencing applications for lone female students, while Hyderabad institutions deploy volunteer wardens and campus-wide SMS alerts.
Global Norms
- The U.S. Clery Act mandates annual crime reporting and emergency systems—including outdoor sirens.
- UK universities offer safe-walk apps, ID-tagged female escorts, and 24/7 campus controls—all funded via minimal safety levies.
What Higher Education Must Do
Institutional Level
- Ring-fence 5% of budgets yearly for safety
- Engage alumni in micro-funding drives
- Partner with tech vendors willing to offer cost-sharing solutions
- Hold quarterly audits on security infrastructure
Government & Regulators
- Add campus safety criteria to funding formulas
- Provide matched grants when colleges invest local funds
- Mandate periodic satellite surveillance audits
External Context
- UGC & RUSA grant norms: https://www.ugc.gov.in, https://mhrd.gov.in/rusa
- Clery Act overview (U.S.): https://clerycenter.org
- Campus policing in India: Review by National Commission for Women
- Global university safety models: United Nations Higher Education Task Force
Final Thoughts
The safety of students, researchers, and faculty shouldn’t be a luxury hinged on funding. Security is foundational to academic dignity, campus vibrancy, and the right to education.
If budget constraints continue to undercut safety, campuses risk becoming compromised—slowing academic ambition and damaging Kerala’s reputation as a center of learning.
With thoughtful budgeting, targeted support, and creative funding strategies, Kolkata’s colleges can elevate safety from “least concern” to institutional priority.
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