How Haryana colleges lost Panjab University affiliation, and CM Khattar’s fight to regain it

How did Haryana colleges lose Panjab University’s affiliation?

Till the re-organisation of Punjab in 1966, the Panjab University had its regional centres at Rohtak, Shimla and Jalandhar and its affiliated colleges were located in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Later, the colleges of Haryana and Himachal were affiliated to the Universities in the respective states and the PU was left with the affiliated colleges in the Union Territory of Chandigarh and some parts of Punjab. Following a notification issued by the MHA on November 1, 1973, the Haryana colleges lost their affiliation to the PU.

The notification read as: “And whereas consequent on the passing of Kurukshetra University Act, 1974, the said Panjab University has with effect from the 30th day of June, 1974, ceased to function and operate in the state of Haryana…” In a subsequent notification issued by the MHA in 1997, the Haryana CM, state education minister and DPI (Director Public Instruction) were omitted as ex-officio fellows of the Senate — the governing body of the University.

When did Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar start pursuing the issue?

In July 2017, Khattar wrote to MHA for initiation of the process of restoration of Haryana’s share in Panjab University. Next month, the then Union Home Minister informed the CM that the matter was being examined for appropriate action. Khattar again wrote a letter to the MHA in March 2021. Haryana assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta too raised the issue with the MHA and the Vice-President.

What did the Centre say?

Following Khattar’s correspondence, the MHA, in June 2021, informed the Haryana government that the subject matter has been transferred to the Union ministry of education. The education ministry in October 2021 informed the state that the matter is presently under examination with the University Grant Commission.

In March 2022, Khattar wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking his intervention. While chairing the meeting of Northern Zonal Council, according to the letter, Shah had advised that the CMs of Punjab and Haryana should sit together to discuss and amicably decide the matter.

Khattar also mentioned: “…the government of Punjab has no role to play in the matter and the issue to restore the original status as in the year 1973 and 1997 is to be decided by Home Ministry…” The CM added: “As per Punjab Reorganization Act, the Act of Panjab University ought to be amended by the Ministry of Home Affairs…to the extent that Haryana representatives as in the erstwhile Senate be added back by amending the Act and after that territorial jurisdiction of Panjab University be decided to take colleges of some districts of Haryana under the jurisdiction of Panjab University.”

What is the Haryana government’s stand, now?

The officials of Haryana government say even after establishment of new universities in the state, its colleges should not have been banned from affiliation to the PU. Quoting section 72 of Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the officials say that “the Panjab University, Chandigarh is the joint property of Punjab and Haryana”.

In the beginning, Panjab University budget was shared by Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh administration. They add: “At present the expenditure of the University is shared by the central government and Punjab government in which the central government is funding 92 per cent of the budget and the Punjab government is paying a nominal amount (Rs 20 crore annually). A large number of colleges, about 168 colleges of Punjab are affiliated to this University but no college from Haryana due to MHA’s notification of November 1, 1973.”

What is Punjab’s counter-opinion?

Refusing to allow affiliation of Haryana colleges with Panjab University, Mann has asked his Haryana counterpart to set up own university in Ambala, Panchkula or Yamuna Nagar. He said Punjab will utilise services of its university in Chandigarh to strengthen education in 200 state colleges affiliated with it. He said that “175 colleges of the state are affiliated with this premier university due to which generations of Punjab are emotionally attached with it”.