Talk it out: Shah to Haryana, Punjab on stake in Panjab University

Abstaining from issuing any directive on Haryana’s request for reinstatement of its stake in Panjab University (PU), the Union Home Ministry has asked both Punjab and Haryana to reach a consensus.

During a Northern Zonal Council (NZC) meeting on November 17, Home Minister Amit Shah urged Punjab and Haryana to have a mutual dialogue and resolve the issue amicably. The ministry specified that the Higher Education Department under the Education Ministry was the nodal authority on the issue. The department was already probing the legal angle of the proposal, saying that it could be taken up positively.

“The matter has been examined, and it has been observed that the inclusion of Haryana as a stakeholder in PU can be considered positively. This is likely to increase the university’s internal revenue generation through affiliation charges from Haryana colleges, thereby reducing the financial burden on the Centre. However, certain legal and statutory changes will be required to restore Haryana’s role. The matter has been referred to the Ministry of Law and Justice for legal advice,” the department submitted, according to a letter dated October 15.

While no final decision was taken at the meeting, Punjab and Haryana submitted their respective positions on the issue. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann reiterated the state’s claim that PU and Chandigarh belong to Punjab, arguing that since Haryana had relinquished its share decades ago, it could not seek it again. He said Punjab had supported the university for 50 years and opposed any “backdoor entry” by Haryana into the university’s governing bodies.

Meanwhile, Haryana argued that its demand was long-pending and intended to benefit colleges in districts such as Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar. It sought affiliation of these colleges with the university and offered to pay a proportional share of the grant. While both states pressed for a final decision, Shah said such issues were best resolved through dialogue. Reports say the Centre has deferred key issues concerning Punjab, including the restructuring of PU, following Mann’s strong objections.