Patiala, July 20 -- Under a huge financial burden, Punjabi University, Patiala, is struggling to cope with a massive Rs.144.15-crore loan, which demands an annual interest payment of Rs.14 crore. The university has already paid a staggering Rs.136 crore in interest since the financial year 2015-16, according to the institution's financial data.

Acknowledging the challenges, newly appointed vice-chancellor (VC), Dr Jagdeep Singh, expressed his concerns over the university's financial situation while also appreciating the Punjab government's decision to increase the monthly grant in a bid to ease the financial crisis.

Monthly grant hiked to Rs.30 cr

In 2023, chief minister Bhagwant Mann raised the monthly grant to the university from Rs....