The central university status for the Panjab University (PU) seems to have moved an inch closer with the Punjab government approving the much-awaited status, albeit with a few conditions attached regarding the institute's management.
On Saturday, Pawan Kumar Bansal, local parliamentarian and Minister of State for Finance, said at a function at the PU that the university would soon be awarded the central status and he had already received a positive feedback from the Punjab Government. He told the Newsline, "In my communication with Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal, the response regarding the central status has been positive so far. Once Punjab government conveys its formal decision, I will take up the issue in the monsoon session of the Parliament and I am sure that the status would be awarded."
A top official of the state government said the government would soon convey to the Centre that it has no objections to the PU getting the central university status. It only wants that the state's stake in management of the institution remains unchanged, he added.
A senior official of the state government told, "A decision has been taken that the PU can be awarded the central varsity status. The state government, however, wants that the status of PU's senate, syndicate and affiliated colleges remains unchanged. Soon we will convey the decision to the Centre."
University sources claim that Badal would make a formal correspondence to the PU in this regard on Monday during his visit to the institute for a function.
The central university status for PU would imply that the state government's commitment of contributing the 40 per cent share in the university's annual deficit would no longer be applicable and the Centre would meet the entire deficit.
Of late, the university has been facing a financial crunch because the Punjab government has not paid its entitled share to the institution.
Sources claim that once the Centre provides the entire funds certain changes would take place in the institution including increased retirement age for the faculty, better infrastructure and more funds for research work. President of Panjab University Teachers' Association, Ronki Ram said, "We appreciate the steps taken by every one including PUTA leadership, V-C and the state's ministers in this regard."
--
Your Gateway to Chandigarh, Mohali & Panchkula? Check now at www.ChandigarhPulse.com
Subscribe to ChandigarhPulse Newsletter at http://groups.google.com/group/ChandigarhPulse
No comments:
Post a Comment