HYDERABAD, June 28: Expressing concern over decrease in recurring and development budgets of Sindh universities, the Vice Chancellors Committee has appealed to the Prime Minister, Governor Sindh, Chief Minister and pro-chancellors to help provide required recurring budget and development funds.

The resolution was passed by the VCs in a meeting held at the Sindh University Jamshoro here on Friday.

The meeting observed that the public sector universities were in the process of capacity building therefore any cut in funds would affect its progress. It also expressed concern over existing deficits in university budgets and 30 per cent cut in recurring budget with the concern that deficit and 20 per cent enhancement in pay and allowances will increase financial difficulties.

The meeting urged the ministry of finance to stop cuts in recurring and development funds rather release more to fulfil commitments of the government.

They further resolved to urge the ministry to release funds for development projects as promised by the Higher Education Commission for the completion of on-going mega projects.

The meeting also urged the government to allocate adequate funds for human resource development, and education of scholars doing PhD, abroad and in the country.

The Vice Chancellors Committee assured the government in utilizing the available resources economically in view of financial difficulties being faced by the country.

The meeting was attended by Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, VC Sindh University; engineer Abul Kalam, VC NED University Karachi; Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza, VC Karachi University; Dr A.Q. Khan Rajput, VC Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro; Dr Bashir Ahmed Shaikh, VC Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam; Dr Noushad Ahmed Shaikh, VC Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro; and Dr Wahid Bux Soomro, VC Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Sciences and Technology Nawabshah. Pro-Vice Chancellor Sindh University, Dr Raffia Ahmed Shaikh also attended the meeting.