No plans to convert PU into central university: Centre

The central government on Monday told the Parliament that there were no immediate plans to convert Panjab University (PU) into a central university.

- HT Correspondent

CHANDIGARH:

The statement from Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar came in response to a question raised by Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari regarding the delay in the election of the senate, the apex governing body of PU.

The statement comes at a time when a protest is underway at the varsity from students and Punjab politicians speaking in unison, apprehending that efforts are being made to dilute Punjab's claim over the varsity.

A pre-Independence university, created under the Panjab University Act, 1947, under provisions of Section 72 of the Reorganisation Act, 1966, PU was declared an inter-state body corporate, having the participation of Punjab and Centre. While there has been demand from the campus faculty to declare it a central university, all political parties have been opposed to the idea.

Responding to a question by Tewari in the Lok Sabha, Majumdar reaffirmed the university's autonomy under the Panjab University Act, 1947, and said senate elections were conducted by the university after due approval from the chancellor (the Vice-President of India).