“The character of the university as an inter-state body already stands extinguished…Punjab is having only the affiliating facility with consequential benefits, even that on financial contributions,” the bench of justice Rajbir Sehrawat observed.
Accord Central University status to Panjab Univesity: HC to Centre
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the central government to consider converting the Panjab University (PU) into a central University. “The character of the university as an inter-state body already stands extinguished…Punjab is having only the affiliating facility with consequential benefits, even that on financial contributions,” the bench of justice Rajbir Sehrawat observed. The court also sought a response from the union ministries of home affairs and education to take a conscious decision by August 30.
“Let the decision taken by the central government, at least in principle, be placed before the court on the next date of hearing,” it added. The court was hearing the plea of a retired University teacher, Sangeeta Bhalla, who is seeking extensive service until 65 years as she was superannuated at the age of 60.
A single-judge HC bench had in 2016 dismissed PU teachers' plea on the same. The decision was stayed by the division bench. Since then, those retiring from PU have had to approach HC for an extension of service.
Previously, the Centre had maintained that the varsity's status was that of an inter-state body corporate, and is in view of the stake of the Punjab Government. Successive Punjab governments have been opposing change in its status, irrespective of the party in power in the state.
The court observed that the Centre in March notified that Central Service Rules will be applicable to Chandigarh employees, including teachers in institutions of higher education. However, this neither covered teachers of PU nor those serving at its affiliated colleges.
A pre-Independence university, created under the Panjab University Act, 1947, under the provision of Section 72 of Reorganisation Act, 1966, PU was declared as an inter-state body corporate, having the participation of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. With this, the power to make laws relating to PU has been with the Centre, it observed.
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