Citing improvement in state’s Covid-19 situation, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has written to the Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who is also Panjab University’s Chancellor, seeking early elections to the University senate, since the inexplicable delay in polling was causing resentment among various constituents of the institution.
At the same time, the state’s Higher Education and Languages Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa has written to varsity Vice Chancellor Dr Raj Kumar to conduct Senate elections without any further delay, saying that the PU Administration “is denying the right to vote to the constituents of the Senate which is not only against the established democratic principles, but it is also against the laws, regulations, and statutes as they stand today”.
Capt Amarinder, in his letter, urged the Vice President to advise the PU Administration and the UT Administration of Chandigarh for proper and timely conduct of elections to the Senate of the University.
Stressing that failure to conduct elections to the University Senate, whose current term ended on October 31, was not only annoying but was also against the cannons of any good governance and the law, the Chief Minister said: “There is a substantial resentment amongst the teachers, professionals, technical members, graduates of the University and representatives of various constituencies for the Senate elections.”
Besides, there are legislators from the Punjab State Legislative Assembly and ex-officio members, such as Chief Minister, Education Minister, and DPI (Colleges) of the State, who represent the Government of Punjab, he pointed out, adding that it was hence strongly felt that elections should have been held without any delay.
Noting that the University Administration and Government of India felt that the situation was not conducive to hold elections due to the pandemic Covid-19, Capt Amarinder said that the situation has improved and elections to the Parliament, Legislative Assemblies, and various other urban and rural local bodies have been held across the nation.
He pointed out that in a situation when the Senate is not constituted, the Syndicate of the University would also not be constituted as its term ends on December 31, 2020.
Meanwhile, Bajwa requested the PU VC to conduct the Senate elections and ensure appropriate necessary arrangements for these elections. He assured the VC that the Punjab Government would provide all required assistance to hold these elections.