हिंदी
Chandigarh, August 9 – Haryana Education Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal said that Haryana must get its share in affiliation of colleges in Panjab University, Chandigarh to protect the interest of the students and citizens of the state.
Sh. Kawar Pal was giving his statement in relation to the non-official resolution moved by MLA, Smt. Geeta Bhukkal during the Monsoon Session in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today.
He said that on November 1, 1973, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, consequent upon the passing of the Kurukshetra University Act, issued a notification forfeiting the functions and operations of the Panjab University in Haryana. During this time, the number of colleges affiliated to Panjab University in Haryana was 63 colleges in 18 districts.
The Education Minister said that initially the budget of Panjab University was shared by Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh Administration. Presently, the University’s expenses are borne by the Government of India and the Government of Punjab, in which the Government of India is funding 92 percent of the budget and the Punjab Government is funding 8 percent. 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.
He said that later on October 27, 1997, again an amendment was made by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India in which the presence of Haryana Government and its candidates were removed from various bodies of Panjab University. The financial stakes also changed between the Government of India, the Government of Punjab and the Government of Haryana. A Civil Writ Petition No. 18745/2016 is pending in the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in which the date of next hearing is October 14, 2022 in which the provision of budget is under consideration in Panjab University.
The Education Minister informed that the Chief Minister, Haryana wrote a letter dated July 31 to the Union Home Minister to initiate the process of restoration of Haryana’s share in Panjab University. Which was sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Further, it has been sent by the Ministry of Education to the UGC for examination.
He said that 42 colleges of Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar will be linked with Haryana’s share in Panjab University.
Sh. Kanwar Pal informed that the Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker has also written a letter to the Vice President of India and Union Home Minister. Haryana Chief Minister again wrote a letter to the Union Home Minister on March 8, 2022 that notification regarding restoration of Haryana’s share in Panjab University is to be issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Education Minister informed that Haryana’s share in Panjab University was provided under the Punjab Reorganization Act 1966, which is administered by the Union Home Ministry. The two subsequent amendments to the said Act i.e. 1973 and 1977 were made by the Ministry of Home Affairs, so it is pertinent to mention that the notification regarding the restoration of Haryana’s share in the Panjab University is to be issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Once Haryana’s share is restored in Panjab University, further action will be taken with the University authorities to restore the affiliation of Haryana colleges with Panjab University.
He said that the meeting of the Northern Zonal Council was held on August 20, 2019 at Chandigarh in which the issue of grant to Panjab University was discussed under agenda item number 16. The Chairman said that the Chief Ministers of both the State Governments of Punjab and Haryana should sit together and discuss and take an amicable decision on the matter. Further, the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Northern Zonal Council was held on December 3, 2021 at Shimla in which it was decided to hold the meeting of both Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab under the aegis of the Punjab Governor.
Sh. Kanwar Pal informed that a Civil Writ Petition No. 10775/2022 titled Dr. Sangeeta Bhalla Vs. State of Punjab and others is pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in which the Punjab and Haryana High Court has passed an interim order dated May 19, 2022. The government has been instructed to take a conscious decision to convert Panjab University into a Central University, now this case is fixed for hearing on August 30, 2022.
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