A group of Delhi University teachers on Monday boycotted online classes and official work protesting the alleged non-release of grants to 12 colleges that are fully funded by the city government. The teachers association said that students fee cannot be used for salaries, PTI reported.

“The DUTA finds it extremely unfortunate that despite repeated requests and protests, the Delhi Government has not released grants to the 12 DU Colleges. Teachers and non-teaching staff are working without salaries for the last four months,” the association said in a statement.

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The cluster-wise strike began on Monday, under which teaching staff from some colleges boycotted official duties. The strike will go on till October 1.

“Any attempt to put the burden of salaries on students will be disastrous. DUTA has time and again defended public-funded nature of DU and will continue to do so,” said Rajib Ray, the President of the Delhi University Teacher’s association.

The university administration and the Delhi government have been locked in a tussle over non-formation of governing bodies in 28 colleges partially or fully funded by the government.

Among them, 12 colleges are fully-funded by the government and they have alleged that the grants released by the city dispensation have been inadequate and they have not been able to pay salaries to their employees since May.