While the Panjab University Teachers' Association (PUTA) and other university authorities are planning to initiate a campaign to seek Central university status for the Panjab University, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has made it clear that it will not allow the university to attain the Central university status.

Talking to Newsline, Badal said, "As we are not sure of our stake on the university once it becomes a Central university, the state government has decided to oppose the move. We had given a no-objection certificate but the moment we realised our mistake, the certificate was withdrawn."

The university, which is mutually funded by the Centre, Chandigarh administration and Punjab, is supposed to get its 40 per cent share from Centre and Punjab each and the remaining grant is given by the UT administration. However, year after year Punjab has failed to give its required share thereby drifting the university towards fund shortage.

When Badal was confronted as to why the government not paying its complete share, he said, "Even other universities are not getting complete budget but are executing their work properly. Thus, PU also should not be complaining regarding funds and should be utilising the available funds properly."

Meanwhile this issue of PU seeking central university status was also raised in the last Senate meeting held in March. With arrears up to Rs 34 crore pending with Punjab, the PU authorities are planning to meet the Prime Minister in this regard soon.

Many would lose job in Senate
Once PU becomes a central university, the size of Senate would reduce to just one third the existing size. Punjab fears it might lose its control on the university.