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Chandigarh, Nov 7 (IANS) Saying that the Center provided Rs 3,229 crore to the Panjab University in Chandigarh while the Punjab government contributed just Rs 538 crore, the state unit of the BJP on Friday lauded the Central government for withdrawing the notification dissolving the university’s senate and syndicate.
BJP state vice president Subhash Sharma told the media here, “This decision fully respects the sentiments of the people of Punjab.” He said the step taken by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to withdraw the notification on October 28 is “extremely sensitive”.
He said that the AAP government in Punjab tried to “mislead” the public on this issue. In fact, it was the state BJP that carried the sentiments of the people of Punjab to the Centre.
Sharma, who was accompanied by state media chief Vineet Joshi and spokesperson SS Channi, said that the notification issued on October 28 regarding reforms in the Senate and Syndicate was withdrawn on November 4 in view of public sentiment.
The notification has been postponed indefinitely. He clarified that this notification will neither be applicable at present nor will it be applicable ever in future.
“BJP’s stand has always been clear that the interests of Panjab University and the rights of Punjab will not be compromised,” he said.
The BJP leader said that both the Chief Minister and the state Education Minister are ex-officio members of the Senate of Panjab University, yet they never attended even a single meeting.
“Not only this, two MLAs nominated by the state assembly also did not attend any meeting,” he said.
He said the reform process had started during the tenure of Vice Chancellor Professor Arun Grover under the Congress government.
Representatives of the Punjab Government were also included in a committee formed at that time.
He asked, what was the stand of the Punjab government in those meetings? Did he oppose or support the reforms? For three years, neither any letter was sent to the Center nor did anyone raise any objection after meeting the President.
Citing figures, Sharma said the central government has given a grant of Rs 3,229 crore to Panjab University since 2014, while the Punjab government has given only Rs 538 crore.
“The Center continues to provide its full 60 per cent contribution, but the Punjab government is providing only 20 per cent instead of 40 per cent.”
According to BJP leader Sharma, the Punjab government currently owes Rs 250 crore to the university, which includes pension, hostel expenses and scholarship grants.
He said the AAP government should stop the ‘political drama’ and fulfill its financial responsibility by releasing the pending Rs 250 crore.
–IANS
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