Five years on,no sign of institute of Granth studies

Amidst these controversies,the state government had sent several reminders to the HRD ministry for clearing the project and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal also took up the matter with the PM,who promised that the project will definitely see the light of day. Following these efforts,the HRD ministry asked the University Grants Commission (UGC) to adopt the whole project and an amount of Rs 1 crore was released.

Thereafter,new hurdles were raised regarding the blueprint of the Institute,its nature and its academic scope. Professor Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon of GNDU’s Guru Nanak Studies Department had prepared the entire framework for the project but still the project was delayed.

GNDU Vice-Chancellor Dr AS Brar said that they were making every effort for the project to begin at the earliest. “There were some technicalities involved and then the funds had to be arranged. I understand that the project is big and crucial and I am in touch with the higher authorities. The project will be taking shape shortly,” he promised,adding that he had personally spoken to the Chancellor of the GNDU and Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil,who himself wanted the project to take off at the earliest.

It was also insinuated that the project was delayed over political considerations. The announcement regarding the Institute was made by the PM at a time when the state had a Congress government led by Captain Amarinder Singh,who had invited the PM for the centenary celebrations arranged by SGPC. It was said that the project was delayed after a change of government in the state in 2007.

The VC,however,said no politics was involved. “Actually the project is commonly supported by all. It is a historic project and work on it is likely to begin any time,” said Brar.