Bhubaneswar, Feb. 14 -- Guest faculties seem to be playing the pivotal role in state-run universities as the load of teaching is not adequately covered by the sanctioned strength due to shortage of regular faculty members.

A reply by Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj revealed this in the House during budget session of Assembly in Odisha today.

Answering to an unstarred query asked by MLA Arvind Mohapatra, the Minister stated that there are 2003 faculty positions (Professor, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor) in 17 universities, of which 696 posts have been filled and remaining 1307 posts are vacant.

Here's the data on teaching faculty position in different universities:

To cover the syllabus in departments of all t...