News Analysis India

Tag: Panjab University

  • Haryana Assembly passes resolution seeking restoration of state’s share in Panjab University

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Haryana Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution recommending the government to seek restoration of the state’s share in Panjab University, Chandigarh.

    Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Education Minister Kanwar Pal said that Haryana must get its share in affiliation of colleges to Panjab University, Chandigarh to protect the interest of the students and citizens of the state.

    The non-official resolution was moved by Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal in the state assembly.

    “As we know that Haryana state’s share in PU was granted under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, and colleges and regional centre of Haryana were affiliated to PU.”

    “Presently, Haryana has no share in the PU. Haryana government should submit a request before the Chancellor of the PU, that is India’s Vice President, for the affiliation of colleges and granting the due share to Haryana by amending rule to restore the state’s share in PU,” read the resolution.

    The House recommended to the state government to seek share of affiliation of colleges in PU, Chandigarh and protect the interest of citizens and students of Haryana.

    The state government assured that it will pay share of grant to the PU.

    Later, Khattar told reporters that the share of Haryana in Panjab University should be restored and the colleges of Haryana adjoining Chandigarh should also be affiliated with this university.

    He said he had raised the matter in a recent meeting of the Northern Zonal Council, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

    Education Minister Pal said a Civil Writ Petition titled Dr. Sangeeta Bhalla Vs. State of Punjab and others is pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in which the court has passed an interim order dated May 19, 2022 directing the Centre to consider conversion of PU into a central university.

    State of Haryana has moved an application before the high court so that if court has to give any decision, Haryana’s plea should be heard and it should be made party in the case, he said.

    The minister said consequent upon the passing of the Kurukshetra University Act, the Centre had on November 1, 1973 issued a notification abolishing state’s share in the PU.

    At that time, the number of colleges affiliated to Panjab University in Haryana was 63 in 18 districts.

    He said that initially the budget of Panjab University was shared by Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh administrations.

    “Presently, the university’s expenses are borne by the Government of India and Punjab, in which the Centre is funding 92 per cent. About 168 colleges in the state of Punjab are affiliated to this university, but due to the notification dated November 1, 1973, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, no colleges in Haryana are affiliated to this university,” Pal said.

    He said that the chief minister wrote a letter dated July 31 to the Union home minister to initiate the process of restoration of Haryana’s share in Panjab University.

    Pal said that 42 colleges of Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar can be affiliated to Panjab University if Haryana’s share in the varsity is restored.

    He added that the Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker has also written a letter to the Vice President of India and Union Home Minister on the issue.

    CHANDIGARH: Haryana Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution recommending the government to seek restoration of the state’s share in Panjab University, Chandigarh.

    Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Education Minister Kanwar Pal said that Haryana must get its share in affiliation of colleges to Panjab University, Chandigarh to protect the interest of the students and citizens of the state.

    The non-official resolution was moved by Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal in the state assembly.

    “As we know that Haryana state’s share in PU was granted under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, and colleges and regional centre of Haryana were affiliated to PU.”

    “Presently, Haryana has no share in the PU. Haryana government should submit a request before the Chancellor of the PU, that is India’s Vice President, for the affiliation of colleges and granting the due share to Haryana by amending rule to restore the state’s share in PU,” read the resolution.

    The House recommended to the state government to seek share of affiliation of colleges in PU, Chandigarh and protect the interest of citizens and students of Haryana.

    The state government assured that it will pay share of grant to the PU.

    Later, Khattar told reporters that the share of Haryana in Panjab University should be restored and the colleges of Haryana adjoining Chandigarh should also be affiliated with this university.

    He said he had raised the matter in a recent meeting of the Northern Zonal Council, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

    Education Minister Pal said a Civil Writ Petition titled Dr. Sangeeta Bhalla Vs. State of Punjab and others is pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in which the court has passed an interim order dated May 19, 2022 directing the Centre to consider conversion of PU into a central university.

    State of Haryana has moved an application before the high court so that if court has to give any decision, Haryana’s plea should be heard and it should be made party in the case, he said.

    The minister said consequent upon the passing of the Kurukshetra University Act, the Centre had on November 1, 1973 issued a notification abolishing state’s share in the PU.

    At that time, the number of colleges affiliated to Panjab University in Haryana was 63 in 18 districts.

    He said that initially the budget of Panjab University was shared by Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh administrations.

    “Presently, the university’s expenses are borne by the Government of India and Punjab, in which the Centre is funding 92 per cent. About 168 colleges in the state of Punjab are affiliated to this university, but due to the notification dated November 1, 1973, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, no colleges in Haryana are affiliated to this university,” Pal said.

    He said that the chief minister wrote a letter dated July 31 to the Union home minister to initiate the process of restoration of Haryana’s share in Panjab University.

    Pal said that 42 colleges of Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar can be affiliated to Panjab University if Haryana’s share in the varsity is restored.

    He added that the Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker has also written a letter to the Vice President of India and Union Home Minister on the issue.

  • Chandigarh Diary: All that is happening in the ‘Land of Five rivers’

    Express News Service
    PGIMER professor wins public health award

    Professor Digambar Behera, senior professor and head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) has been awarded the ‘ATS Public Service Award-2021’ by the American Thoracic Society.

    He was earlier Dean (Research) and then Director of the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, New Delhi. He was also head of department of WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Capacity Building in chronic respiratory diseases.

    This award recognises contributions to public health related to improvement of indoor and outdoor air quality, eradication of tobacco usage, prevention of lung disease, improved management of communicable respiratory diseases and access to healthcare in areas related to lung diseases, sleep disorders and critical care. Professor Digambar Behera also won the Padma Shri award last year for his contributions to the field of medicine.

    Panjab University elections postponed 

    After an advisory issued by the Punjab Government keeping in view the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Panjab University Senate elections scheduled for May 3 have been postponed. In a statement the university stated that with regard to the PU Senate elections scheduled for May 3, the university had sought permission from the Punjab Government to allow gathering of more than 10 people at the polling booths.

    In response, the office of the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, advised to postpone the date of elections. The term of the Senate, the main governing body of the university, ended on October 31 of last year. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the senate elections were deferred twice. The term of the syndicate, the exectuive arm of the university, also ended last year.

    Housing authority receives 105 bids for 36 dwelling units in e-auction

    The Chandigarh Housing Board has received 105 bids for 36 dwelling units in the e-auction of its properties. As per the schedule all the technical bids were opened and declared qualified. Now the financial bids will be opened on May 3.

    These units are in Sector 38 (West) and in Sector 63. Last year no bid was received for these units but this time the response had been good as the price was reduced by 10 per cent. The highest bidder has to deposit 25 per cent of the bid amount within five working days.

    Concern over fire risk in hospitals during COVID surge

    Considering incidents of fire in some of the hospitals in other parts of the country especially due to sudden increase in consumption of oxygen, Chandigarh Administration has directed it’s officers to be extra careful about fire issues.

    Today, all the fire hydrants at Hospital at Sector 48 were tested. A mock drill of fire sensing was also carried out. All the fire extinguishers have been checked, refiled and re-validated. Similarly, last week, all the fire hydrants at GMCH 32 were tested.

    All the medical and para-medical staff have also been sensitised to ensure that all the fire-exits should remain clear all the time and should not be blocked by the idle stretchers or trolleys.