Panjab University to seek grant for govt-aided colleges

Aarti Kapur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 27

Panjab University will submit a proposal to the Punjab government to release a grant for the up-gradation of government-aided colleges in Punjab.

Records of the university revealed that there are 70 government-aided colleges in Punjab which were affiliated to the Panjab University and no grant was provided to these by the government.

Sources said, “The university is chalking out a plan that will be submitted to the Punjab government for consideration. Under this plan, they will focus on providing funds to the colleges for the maintenance and infrastructure.”

An official said, “The university will propose that the Punjab government should review every government-aided college on the basis of their academic performance and NAAC grading. Then the funds will be approved for the up-gradation.”

The issue was raised in the Senate meeting held on Sunday that Panjab University is providing funds to the government-aided colleges and it was the responsibility of the Punjab government.

Punjab Higher Education Special Secretary Chander Gaind, who attended the Senate meeting, was not aware about this fact.

He said, “The PU should draft a proposal for the colleges and submit it to the government for consideration.”

At present under the RUSA scheme, only government colleges are getting funds from the Punjab government and no funds were disbursed to the government-aided colleges.

PU VC Arun Kumar Grover said, “Four days are left for the completion of this financial year and the Punjab government should consider releasing Rs 20 crore under RUSA to the PU. The Punjab government should handover the Hoshiarpur college to the university.”