The issue of central university status for Panjab University once again emerged as the top agenda at the general body meeting of the Panjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) on Friday.

Puta president Professor Manjit Singh apprised the present faculty about the plans and procedure to be followed in the coming days to acquire central university status. He said they plan to meet Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to apprise him of the problems being faced due to shortage of funds. “In case, Punjab does not allow PU to get central status, we will demand that all arrears be paid.”

On Tuesday, when Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh visited the university for a convocation, Professor Mannjit Singh had given him a memorandum demanding central status for PU.

Meanwhile, some of the members seem to have given up hope. Although nothing concrete has emerged regarding central status in the last one and a half years despite all efforts, the issue is discussed at every PUTA meeting. A teacher said: “It’s time that the issue is relegated to the backburner. We should rather discuss means to improve funds and facilities in the university.