Punjab govt proposes one year extension to two Vice-Chancellors; Guv cuts it short by half

The government had proposed one-year extension to both the V-Cs, who were appointed to the post by then chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit, while citing UGC norms, told the government to initiate the process of finding a new V-C. (File photo)

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Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit has cut down by half the extension proposed by the state government to Vice-Chancellors of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) and Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University, Dr Jaspal Singh Sandhu and Dr Karamjeet Singh, respectively.

While Dr Sandhu completed his second term in June this year, Dr Karamjeet will complete his term in September.
The government had proposed one-year extension to both the V-Cs, who were appointed to the post by then chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh. However, the Governor, while citing UGC norms, told the government to initiate the process of finding a new V-C.

Sources said he has also told the government that the process of selecting a new person for the post should be initiated well before the term of the incumbent V-C comes to an end. He also stated that he was giving them six months extension keeping in view the future of students.

Dr Sandhu was appointed V-C by the Congress government in June 2017 for a term of three years. In June 2020, he was given an extension of three years. The fresh extension sought by the AAP government will be Dr Sandhu’s second on the post. Dr Karamjeet was appointed V-C in September 2020.

Sources said that Higher Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains had recommended an extension of three years for Dr Sandhu. But Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann shot down the proposal and sent a case for an extension of one year only, which was further reduced to six months by the Governor.

This is not the first time that the governor, who is also the chancellor of Punjab universities, has intervened in the matter. Governor Purohit had also shot down the government’s proposal of appointing Dr G S Wander as the V-C of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences last year. He had sought a panel of three experts.

After this, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state had recently tabled a Bill in Vidhan Sabha to remove the governor as the Chancellor of universities in a recent special Vidhan Sabha session. But the Governor has not given his assent to the Bill yet. Purohit has said that the special session is breach of law. A tussle between the AAP government and the Raj Bhavan has been going on various issues, including the holding of a two-day assembly session in June.

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The Punjab assembly during the special session had passed four bills, including the Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which is for replacing the governor with the chief minister as the chancellor of state-run universities.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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