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  • Punjab University might obtain Central University status: VC worried

    It is speculated that Punjab University might lose its authority if it obtains the status of Central University.

    The incumbent Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Arun Kumar Grover, at the senate meeting on Saturday, urged the senators to not to pass any sort of resolution towards obtaining the status of Central University as it will abstain the varsity from the little authority it possesses now.

    While issues regarding the poorly prevailing financial status of the varsity were raised at the senate meeting, VC Grover informed the attendees about the meeting held earlier with the UGC and MHRD on the same issue.

    Financial woes can be solve with obtaining the status

    While the VC discouraged the move, senator Gurmeet Singh observed that the financial issues of the varsity can be solved should the varsity obtain the status of Central University.

    "The problem of funds arose as earlier the money used to be allocated by the Centre to MHA and from there to the Chandigarh Administration for PU. However, the pattern was changed a few years back and UGC was asked to sanction the funds. UGC is an autonomous body and it said that there is no separate head for PU. We are hopeful that in the next two to four days, a grant of Rs 44 crore will be released," said Senator and BJP leader Satya Pal Jain adding, the Centre has never stopped any grant to the university, as reported in The Indian Express.

    More on the news:

    • Acknowledging the misconception that has been stirring thus alleging the ABVP's complaints as the reason behind the deterrence of university funds, the BJP leader and Senator Satya Pal Jain clarified that the Centre has not stopped any grants to the university
    • Senator Jain further reiterated that the resolution for seeking the central university status might entangle the matter into politics following whose party will form the government in Punjab hence opposing the resolution
    • Expressing reservation on the resolution VC Grover however said that the varsity will conform to certain norms which are stringent in nature. "We will have to conform to certain central norms which are very stringent. The ratio of teachers to non-teachers is 1:1.1 and a more liberal is 1:1.6. We are 1:3 or more. The whole university will have to be completely restructured. If it becomes a central institution without the affiliated colleges, the entire income from the colleges is brought down to zero. The Centre's deficit towards PU, will increase from Rs 232 crore to Rs 390 crore immediately," said Grover
    • The VC further pointed out that should the resolution passed in favour of obtaining the status; there will be an immediate rise on tuition fees, examination fees, and drop in teachers' salaries by 50 per cent. "By merely passing a resolution that we should become a Central University it is not going to happen. The Centre will do some serious evaluation of what we are doing. A new revenue model needs to be worked out," said Grover
    • The 172 colleges in Punjab would be then affiliated to Punjabi University Patiala or Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
    • Some senators are of the opinion that the Centre should consider the university as Heritage University and urged the government for 100 per cent grants.

    2016-12-19

    Source: indiatoday.intoday.in

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