PUTA objects to proposal of leasing out varsity land to AICTE

Chandigarh, November 23

The Panjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) has objected to the proposal of leasing out one-acre land on the Sector 25 campus of Panjab University to the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE). It has also raised objection that when one committee has rejected it why it is being reconsidered again with more members.

A committee to examine the proposal was formed but it decided on November 3 that, “After detailed deliberations, it was unanimously decided that the request of the Regional Officer, North West Regional Office (NWRO), AICTE, Chandigarh, cannot be accepted for the allocation of the piece of land, approximately one acre, on a lease basis, out of the university land, to build the AICTE campus for their office with meetings and conference rooms and some accommodation for the guest house.”

Now, the committee, which will have more members, will meet again on November 27.

“Earlier, we had representatives from the UIET and the Chemical Engineering Department. But now, I have included heads of UBS, UIAMS and UIHTM. These departments are also connected with the AICTE,” said Prof Meenakshi Malhotra, DUI. “I want to assure PUTA that no land is being given to the AICTE. When we do not own the land, we can’t give it to anyone else. But we can explore other options as we do not want to close communication with the AICTE,” she added.

“The land was allocated to the university and it cannot be parted with by way of lease or transfer, especially on a ‘build-and-operate’ basis by the third party. Moreover, the PU already has a shortage of land and the limited amount of land in its possession was allotted to the university exclusively for its own use and once the land or building is leased out, it cannot be taken back even for university’s own use,” said Prof Rajesh Gill, president, PUTA.

Both Prof Gill and Prof JK Goswami, Secretary PUTA, objected to any such proposal, being pushed through the committee, by appointing PUTA secretary on this panel as an exception. “Despite the written request of the PUTA Secretary to put the association president on the committee in view of the seriousness of the matter, his request was not acceded to for reasons best known to the authorities,” said Professor Gill.

She said the enthusiasm of the authorities to lease out the university land was corroborated by the fact that even after the committee, headed by the DUI, in its meeting dated November 3 declined the proposal unanimously, another meeting of the committee had now been convened on November 27 by adding some new members and still not including her. — TNS