Story
of
Establishment of Central University of Punjab
in
Ghudda (Bathinda) By
Amarjit Singh Dhillon ( Dr. )
,
Story of
Establishment of Central University of Punjab in Ghudda
(Bathinda)
Dedicated to:
The Posterity By
Amarjit Singh Dhillon ( Dr. )
Story of
Establishment of Central University of Punjab in Ghudda
(Bathinda)
By
Amarjit Singh Dhillon ( Dr. )
E-mail: [email protected]
!st Edition: Jan. 2009
Copy Right : Open
Price: Good Wishes
For The University
Publisher: Indo-Canadian Friendship Society Printer
Contents Preface Page Chapter 1
Introduction & Seeds of New Central Universities Chapter 2
Bathinda in Picture Chapter 3 Mistake Corrected Chapter 4 .
MoF Wall & Criticism Chapter 5 .
Process Started & Bill 2008 Introduced
Chapter 6 ..
Site in Bathinda Disclosed in Stages Chapter 7 Passage of Bill
2008 Delayed Chapter 8 .
Ordinance Route
Chapter 9 Final Steps Chapter 10 .
Final Steps by Punjab Government
Chapter 11 . Vice Chancellor Appointed Chapter 12 .. A
Make-Shift Arrangement: Chapter 13 VCs Message
& Additional Facilities in Ghudda Appendix I .. List of
those who excelled in various fields from Ghudda Appendix II .. 12
New Central Universities & 3 State Universities with
Jurisdiction [ From The Gazette of India Extraordinary ] Preface I
have recently written a small Book about my village Ghudda in my
mother tongue Punjabi suffixing it From Jungle Desh to Central
University. It was a first book on a lesser known village and was
greatly appreciated by the residents of my village. I felt
encouraged to see that my efforts to bring my birth-place to
limelight did not go in vain.
Then, an idea developed in my mind that I should exclusively
write about the Central University, passing through some difficult
phases, coming to my village and that too in English as I have been
in touch with all the developments in this regard. Thanks to the
Internet available to me in my daughter Deepindarjits house in
Canada and my son Harmohinders house in U.S.A. Mostly I was in
these two countries during the period in which all the developments
about the New Central Universities had taken place.
I have tried to cover all aspects as per my capacity to
visualize. However, there might be some which have remained
uncovered. I have tried to remain impartial but at times I might
have become biased towards my village which was but natural..
It is not easy to produce a book sitting in Canada and/or in
U.S.A. and getting it published from Patiala ( India ). Has Dr.
Nirbhai Singh not agreed to help in every stage of publication it
would not have been possible to see this book in print form. I am
obliged to him. The onus for any mistake, if any, falls on me
alone.
Amarjit Singh Dhillon ( Dr. ),
Malton ( ON )
Canada L4T2V6
Nov.30, 2009
Chapter 1 Introduction
&
Seeds of New Central Universities Introduction:
Village Ghudda was founded, in later half of 17th century, by
Baba Ghudda, whose ancestors shifted from village Sur Singh(Wala)
near Tarn Taaran, to Village Wanger near Talwandi Sabo, the then
Lakhi Jungle area of Punjab. Ghudda was a sleeping village
throughout, but whose sons excelled in various fields ( see
Appendix I ) . Ghudda is also a village of ancestors of Prakash
Singh Badal, who became Chief Minister of Punjab four times
starting from March 26, 1970. ( Badal being a village purchased by
the family of Baba Ghudda from a Musalman in 1830)
Nobody in Punjab, in general, and Ghudda, in particular, ever
imagined that the only one Central University to be established in
Punjab by the Government of India, would have its seat in village
Ghudda. ( the other University to be established by the Government
of India would be a World Class University which would be
established in Amritsar )
Village Ghudda becoming a seat of the Central University of
Punjab was not less than a miracle. But miracles do happen, with
the grace of Aimighty, in the lives of individuals, institutions,
and also in places. It had suddenly brought Ghudda on the National
Map of India and soon it will be on the International Map, it is
hoped. Metaphorically speaking Ghudda one day slept as an unknown
village, and when woke up next morning found itself startlingly
famous . The Seeds of New Central Universities:
Story of establishing Central Universities [ and also World
Class Universities ] in Indian States, including Punjab [ which
ultimately came to Village Ghudda 17 Kilometers from Bathinda ],
started on the suggestion of National Knowledge Commission [ NKG ]
which was established by Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of
India, in 2005. Members of The Commossion were: Mr. Sam Pitroda :
Chairman, Dr. P.M.Bhargava : Vice Chairman ,Dr. Pratap Bhanu
Mehta,Dr. Andr Bteille, Dr. Ashok Ganguly,Dr. Jayati Ghosh,Dr.
Deepak Nayyar and Mr. Nandan Nilekani It was noted that the 21st
Century has been acknowledged worldwide as the 'Knowledge Century'.
Every nation now finds itself operating in an increasingly
competitive and globalised international environment where the
information infrastructure, research and innovation systems,
education and lifelong learning, and regulatory frameworks are
crucial variables. In the next few decades India will probably have
the largest set of young people in the world. Given this
demographic advantage over the countries of the West and even
China, we are optimally positioned, in the words of our Prime
Minister, to "leapfrog in the race for social and economic
development" by establishing a knowledge-oriented paradigm of
development. It is with this broad task in mind that the National
Knowledge Commission (NKC) was established on 13th June 2005 and
given a timeframe of three years from 2nd October 2005 to 2nd
October, 2008 to achieve its objectives.
Taking a clue from the recommendations of the National Knowledge
Commission,
on December 26, 2008, the Punjab Chief Minister .Parkash Singh
Badal sought a special package from Centre to boost prospects of
higher education in the State by setting up a Central University ,
an Indian Institute of Management( IIM) , Indian Institute of
Technology(IIT)and Indian Institute of Information Technology.
Mr.Badal put forth these proposals during a meeting with the then
Union Human Resource Development Minister Mr.Arjun Singh in his
office at New Delhi. Disclosing this Media Advisor .Harcharan Bains
had said that on the request of Chief Minister, Mr. Arjun Singh had
agreed to send a high- level team to visit the probable sites at
Bathinda, Rupnagar and Sultanpur Lodhi before taking a final
decision for setting up of a Central University. Mr.Bains added
that the Chief Minster impressed upon Mr.Arjun Singh for setting up
of atleast three model schools in each educationally backward block
of the State instead of one as agreed to earlier by the Ministry of
Human Resources Development. Responding to the demands raised by
the Chief Minister, Mr.Arjun Singh assured him that the Ministry of
Human Resources Development was committed to ensure balanced growth
of education in all the States and Punjab was not an exception
rather it would be accorded the highest priority while allotting
the educational institutes of excellence. He informed the Ministry
would soon take a final decision for sanctioning a prestigious IIM,
IIT, IIIT besides Central University after taking the feasibility
report into consideration. The Chief Minister was accompanied by
his Media Advisor Harcharan Bains, Principal Secretary to Chief
Minister DS Guru, Principal Resident Commissioner Ms. Anjuly Chib
Duggal and Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister KJS
Cheema.
In Press Release of Union Govt. March 28,2008, S TATES were
IDENTIFIED FOR LOCATING NEW CENTRAL INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
EDUCATION IN THE 11TH FIVE YEAR PLAN : The 11th Five Year Plan (
2007-2012 ), endorsed by the National Development Council in
December, 2007, envisages, inter alia, establishment of the
following new higher education institutions in the Central
Sector:
A Technical Education Institutions
8 Indian Institutes of Technology
7 Indian Institutes of Management
B Central Universities
14 Universities aiming at World Class Standards
16 Universities in States which do not have a Central University
at present
Location of New IITs/ IIMs. Location of 4 IITs (in Andhra
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh), and one IIM (at
Shillong) have already been announced. The Central Government has
now decided to locate the remaining 4 IITs and 6 IIMs in the
following States :-
IITs - Orissa, Madhya Pradesh (Indore), Gujarat and Punjab
IIMs - Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh
(Raipur), Uttarakhand and Haryana In addition, it is also proposed
to convert the Institute of Technology of the Banaras Hindu
University into an IIT. Admission to this Institute is already
based on the IIT Joint Entrance Examination.
Location of 14 World Class Universities
As regards 14 Central Universities aiming at World Class
Standards, it has been considered necessary that these are located
in or near selected large cities which would automatically have the
kind of connectivity and infrastructure which such universities
would need. Accordingly, it has been decided to locate one such
University in each of the 14 States/Region as shown in the List
below, and to request concerned State Governments to identify
adequate land in or near the selected cities.
State-wise List of Cities identified for locating 14 Central (
World Class ) Universities during the 11th Plan would aim to
achieve world class standards :-
State City1. Maharashtra Pune 2. West Bengal - Kolkata' 3. Tamil
Nadu - Coimbatore, 4.Karnataka - Mysore, 5. Andhra Pradesh -
Vishakapatanam, 6. Gujarat Gandhinagar.7.ajasthan - Jaipur, 8.
Bihar - Patna, 9. Madhya Pradesh - Bhopal,10. Kerala - Kochi, 11.
Punjab - Amritsar, 12. Orissa - Bhubaneshwar, 13. Uttar Padesh -
Greater NOIDA, 14. North Eastern Region Guwahati
Location of 16 Central Universities in Uncovered States
16 States which do not have a Central University at present, and
which will get one Central University each in the 11th Plan are
Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab,
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir,
Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Goa. Of
these, in three States, existing State Universities will be taken
over by the Central Government and converted into Central
Universities. These three Universities are Dr. Hari Singh Gaur
University, Sagar (in Madhya Pradesh), Guru Ghasidas University,
Bilaspur (in Chhattisgarh), and Goa University.
Establishment of IITs, IIMs and Central Universities in the
above States is subject to State Governments offering adequate land
at suitable locations, free of cost, for the purpose. Each of the
concerned State Government is being requested to offer land
accordingly. Actual establishment of these institutions would
however depend, among other things, on how quickly the concerned
State Governments respond by allotting adequate land at suitable
locations. ( This information was also given by Ms D. Purandeshwari
Minister of State, HRD in Lok Sabha in April, 2008 )
Chapter 2
Bathinda in Picture Bathinda in picture :
On July 13, 2008, Sukhbir Singh Badal, the then working
president of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), while listening
to the problems being faced by residents of Bathinda, had announced
that the Punjab government has sent a proposal to the Human
Resource Development Ministry for setting up a Central University
in Bathinda. Team visited Bathinda July 18, 2008
A three-member Central Team, comprised Sunil Kumar, joint
secretary and Renu Batra, joint secretary, UGC, along with eminent
educationists, after visiting Kapurthala, visited Bathinda to
examine the feasibility of establishing a Central University in the
district.
This team accompanied by the officiating Deputy Commissioner,
Bathinda, and other officers visited four sites to look for a
suitable place where the proposed University would come up. It
visited villages- Sardargarh-Karamgarh , Ghudda, Gehri Devi Nagar,
Gehri Bhagi, Kotshamir and , Tungwali .
The district administration tried to convince the team to select
the district for setting up the Central University here. The team
was informed that in Malwa and in the neighbouring districts of
Rajsthan and Haryana, there is a need of such a University.
The team members inquired about the feasibility, road approach
and connectivity. The basic requirement for the University was 500
acres of land, which would be acquired by the district
administration, after receiving funds from the state government.
Confirming the facts, officiating DC Vijay Zade said, We have tried
our best to convince them about the sound prospects of a University
in Bathinda. About the acquisition of land, he said, the sites
which we have shown them, are all in private hands, but there is no
building on them. Soon after getting the nod about any particular
site, the acquisition process would be initiated on a war footing.
A Confusion & Clarification: There was a confusion in the minds
of people of Amritsar that the Central University was being shifted
from Amritsar to Bathinda. In order to remove this confusion, Mr.
Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab held Sangat Darshan
Programme, on August 1, 2008, and while visiting five different
wards of Amritsar South Assembly Constituency, clarified to media
persons and said that the recent news as reported in a few of the
newspapers regarding the shifting of World Class Central University
from Amritsar to Bathinda is absolutely baseless. There is no plan
whatsoever regarding shifting of this University; it would be set
up in Amritsar and Amritsar alone, he asserted.
A Crucial Step : Then another impotent step was taken on
September 1, 2008. It was on this date that a high-level meeting,
called by Mr. Kutty Nayyar Principal Secretary of the Prime
Minister, was held in Prime Minister Office (PMO ). It was attended
by S. Rameshinder Singh, the then Chief Secretary, Punjab, and all
officials of the concerned Departments of the Government of India,
It took stock of all pending Projects including the location of
Central University of Punjab. On the recommendations of the Team,
which had visited Punjab in July, 2008, selected Bathinda for the
Central University. But the actual site was either not disclosed or
not finalized.
Chapter 3
Mistake Corrected
The mistake which Badal corrected: May be on account of saving
money or because of pressure of Punjab University Teachers
Association ( PUTA ), Badal had recommended to the Government of
India, to convert Punjab University, Chandiarh into a Central
University. This move was opposed by various sections including
academicians and politicians
Among the Punjab scholars, academicians and public spirited men
who opposed the Badal governments initial decision, said such a
move would have adversely affected not only Punjabs claims over
Chandigarh but also the Universitys commitment to propagation of
Punjabi language, culture and tradition.
It was said the Punjab Government will no doubt save Rs 16 crore
every year but will cause incalculable harm to Punjab.
Some senior academicians and former Vice-Chancellors formed a
Save Panjab University Forum and met in Ludhianas GGN Khalsa
College where former Secretary Higher Education, Dr Manmohan Singh,
explained the disadvantages of the central takeover of the
varsity.
Guru Nanak Dev University former Vice-Chancellor Dr S.P. Singh
said the Panjab University had a closely-knit relationship with
Punjabi language, culture and distinct Punjabi identity which would
be lost with the Central Status.
Punjabi University former vice-Chancellor Dr. J.S. Puar averted
that Central Status to Varsity will neither enhance its status nor
academic standard. It would have dwarfed the University by weaning
it away from its legitimate heritage.
Other academicians present were GNDU former Pro Vice-Chancellor
Prof Prithipal Singh, Punjab School Education Board Secretary Prof
J.S. Sidhu and former principals of government colleges and
schools. Dr Darshan Singh, a Chandigarh based scholar often
consulted by the SGPC, also strongly opposed the move.
Some professors from Panjab University tried to gain support of
Prof Randhir Singh, the giant among academics in India and a
scholar of Marxism, but he refused saying the PU, Chandigarh
academics were only interested for their narrow gains of salary and
funds, not for any better reason.
Then immediately on Sept. 2, 2008, Punjab Government took a
u-turn on Central Varsity Status for Panjab University Chandigarhp
and backtracked on its decision to grant a Central University
Status to Panjab University, Chandigarh, keeping in view the
"misgivings in the minds of the intelligentsia". Letters from
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in this regard were sent
to the Centre. Badal, who was in Patiala on that day, said that the
government sent the letters after reviewing its earlier decision of
supporting PU's cause. "I have written to the Prime Minister and
Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh not to grant
central university status to PU.", he further said.
( Earlier on August 26, the Punjab government had sent a
communiqu to the Centre with regard to its go-ahead to the
matter.)
A letter of thanks was written to CM by the Forum of
academicians which is reproduced below:: PUNJAB FORUM FOR SOCIAL
JUSTICE, CHANDIGARH Convener Secretary Dr. Manmohan Singh I.A.S.
(Retd.) Former Secretary, Former Secretary, Higher Education Pb.
Former D.P.1. (Colleges) Pb.& Tel. No. 0172 - 2212339Former
Director Technical Educational Pb.
We are extremely happy to learn that Punjab Govt. have withdrawn
its letter of consent for changing the status of Panjab University
to that of a Central University . We thank Punjab Govt. for hearing
the voice of educationists and other Punjabis and taking timely
corrective action.
We express our deep gratitude to all educationists,
intellectuals, writers, politicians, bureaucrats and all other
Punjabis spread all over the globe who have responded positively to
the voice of veteran educationists and prevailed upon Punjab Govt.
to review its decision. We are grately thankful to the media,
particularly the Punjabi media, which has played a stellar role in
this matter.
We appeal to the Central Govt. to accept the latest
recommendation of the Punjab Govt. in this matter. We also appeal
to the Central and State Govts. to find ways and means to remove
the financial difficulties of universities, colleges, schools and
other educational institutions of the State. We also urge the
Central and State Govts to raise the retirement age of all teachers
from Primary School to University level to 65 years in view of
enhanced life expectancy and nationwide shortage of competent
teachers.
Dr. J.S. Puar, Former Vice Chancellor Punjabi University ,
Patiala . Dr. Manmohan Singh I.A.S. (Retd.), Former Secretary,
Higher Education Pb,. Former D.P.1. (Colleges) Pb. & Former
Director Technical Education Pb., Dr. Bhagat Singh,Former Vice
Chancellor Punjabi University , Patiala . & Former D.P.1.
(Colleges) Pb.: Prof. Harbux Singh, Former D.P.1. (Colleges) Pb.
& Former Chairman Punjab School Education Board.: Dr. K.S.
Aulakh , Former vice Chancellor Punjab Agricultural University
Ludhaina:. Prof. Sarwan Singh, Former Chairman Punjab School Edu.
Board:. Principal Har Narinder Singh, Former Chairman Punjab School
Edu. Board. Dr. S. P. Singh, Former Vice-Chancellor Guru Nanak Dev
University , AmritsarProf. Pirthi Pal Singh Kapoor Former Pro-Vice
Chancellorr, Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar: Shri Mukhtiar
Singh, Former Chairman Punjab School Edu. Board. Shri K.S. Gil,
Former D.P.I. (Colleges) Pb Prof. J..S.. Sidhu, Former Secretary,
Pb. School Education Board. Chapter 4 MoF Wall & Criticism
Central Universities Plan runs into MOF Wall
The whole plan had encountered a roadblock on Sept. 6, 2008 when
the Finance Ministry insisted that a clearance of the Expenditure
Committee (EFC) was to be sought before the is introduced in the
Paliament as the EFC clearance was mandatory for projects estimated
to cost over Rs. 100 crore-the 16 new Universities were expected to
cost over Rs. 5,000 crore.
A high-level meeting was held to resolve the issue and expedite
the passage of the Bill.
The Establishment of New Universities was also criticised :
There was also a criticism of establishing New Central
Universities on Sept. 23 2008.. It was from two angles-one in
general & the other particular in case of Punjab.
a) In general, it was said that the proposed Central
Universities were not just about improving higher education in
India. In many cases, they seem to have more to do with politics
than anything else, with Chief Ministers and political groupings
pushing for vested interests in the name of education. The Human
Resource Development (HRD) ministry was at the receiving end, at
least in some cases . The latest such case involved the demand from
Tamil Nadu to name the Central University in the State after DMK
Patriarch and State Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Interestingly,
the said University was first proposed at Trichy, which had
locational and infrastructural advantage over other sites. It was
however moved to Thiruvarur, a remote place which HRD officials say
is not "very suitable" (it is about 300 km from Chennai). Its only
advantage -- it is very close to Karunanidhis birth place,
Thirukuvalai..
If that wasnt enough, Tamil Nadu Education Minister had also
written to HRD Ministry to name the said University as Dr Kalaignar
(meaning artist) M Karunanidhi University after the Chief Minister,
who is a a strong UPA ally. There, however, is a problem with this
demand, ministry sources say. "We have no precedence of naming
government-funded universities after people who are alive. There
are only three existing universities named after legends once they
had passed . These are: Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala; JNU
Delhi and Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad."
Another such situation had arisen in the case of Uttarakhand,
where politics inspired the demand to upgrade the existing Hemwati
Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal State University to a central one. H.N.
Bahuguna was a Congress stalwart from the region; his son Vijay
Bahuguna was a Congress MP from Tehri Garhwal..
The demands continued, with the ministry gave central status for
two more universities located in the stronghold of HRD minister
Arjun Singh. These were Guru Ghasi Das University, Bilaspur in
Chhattisgarh and Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar in Madhya
Pradesh.
Even state governments are using the occasion to score political
points.
Punjab has managed a consensus (to locate the central
university) in favour of Bathinda, the ruling Shiromani Akali Dals
stronghold. Post-delimitation, this formerly reserve constituency
fell open; it was being nursed by Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD
president and son of Chief Minister Parkash SinghBadal.
In Himachal Pradesh too, the ruling BJP got HRD ministrys nod to
locate the university at Kangra, a BJP bastion, from where Rajya
Sabha member Shanta Kumar won many elections but the last one.
Ranchi beat Dhanbad in the race for the varsity, thanks to the
clout of Ranchi Congress MP Subodh Kant Sahay. Political groups in
Dhanbad even wrote to the Prime Minister but could not quite manage
it for themselves. b) In particular, the location of Central
University of Punjab in Bathinda was opposed on Oct. 2008 A Senior
Congress leader and former minister Partap Singh Bajwa had charged
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal with discriminating against
Punjab at large for the benefit of the Bathinda parliamentary
constituency alone. Bajwa, in a letter addressed to the people of
the State, said 90 per cent of all new projects, including those
with Central funding, were being allocated to the proposed Bathinda
parliamentary constituency without any thought to planning,
economic feasibility or viability. The Congress leader said the
only logic behind this was that the Chief Ministers son Sukhbir
Badal was SAD candidate from the constituency. He said this was
leading to several mismatches. Giving an example, he said the new
Central university was being set up in Bathinda even though it had
five premier universities, while a backward area like Gurdaspur was
crying for an institute of higher learning. Bajwa further said
prestigious projects coming up in Bathinda included an
international cricket stadium and a new thermal plant in Mansa
district, while Majha and Doaba regions did not have any thermal
plants.
He said similarly massive upgradation of irrigation facilities,
including Dhapali, Bathinda and Phul distributaries, was being done
when canals in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Jalandhar districts were in
desperate need of repair, maintenance and improvement.
The Congress leader said it was also noteworthy that no
allocation had been made for flood-control measures, which led to
recent floods in Doaba and Firozepur districts. Badal was the Chief
Minister of the entire state and not Bathinda alone and that Majha
and Doaba regions should not be deprived of development, finances
and new projects. This discrimination amounts to the betrayal of
the trust reposed in him by people of these two regions, he
added.
Bajwa demanded establishment of a high-powered state development
council with equal representation from all regions, including the
Opposition, to serve as a watchdog body to approve and oversee the
distribution of funds and projects in Punjab.
It can be clearly seen that Bajwas statement was purely
political.
Chapter 5
Process Started & Bill 2008 Introduced
Establishment of 12 New Central Universities Approved On 3rd
Oct. 2008, the Central Government gave its approval for
establishment of 12 new Central Universities in 12 States and
taking over and conversion of four existing State Universities and
it was also decided that .a Bill for this purpose would be
introduced in the Parliament. Process started for establishment: In
Oct. 2008, or even earlier( as in case of Punjab ), the government
had initiated the process of establishment of 12 New Central
Universities by sending site selection committees for these
institutions. Several committees, which have been set up by the HRD
Ministry, have started visiting the sites offered by the state
governments to assess the "suitability" of the locations. One
committee, as we have seen, had visited the site offered by Punjab.
Two committees would visit the proposed sites in Tamil Nadu and
Himachal Pradesh, a senior ministry official said. The committees
would mainly study the availability of required land, connectivity
to the place by air, rail, road and other facilities at the
locations. As per the criteria, the state governments are supposed
to provide about 500 acres of land free for the setting up of a
central university. These institutes, which would be Centres of
Excellence in various areas of science and humanities, are expected
to come up at "ideal" locations so that they could concentrate on
academic activities and take up research on developmental issues,
the official said. The government had allocated Rs 2,725 crore for
these universities during the 11th Plan, while Rs 50 crore for
2008-09 under the UGC grants, he said.
The UGC had prepared detailed project reports for these
universities.. The ball started rolling after the Cabinet approved
the establishment of these universities. On Oct. 16, 2008, in Lok
Sabha Bulletin Part II there were 39 Bills on Agenda and the
Central Universities Bill 2008 was at No,18 which was introduced on
Oct 23, 2008 in Lok Sabha. It was an Umbrella Legislation sought to
establish 12 new Central Universities and upgrade four existing
State Universities as Central Universities. After introduction of
the Bil,l the locations of Central Universities were announced on
Nov. 22, 2008, to have 16 Central Universities in States that do
not have any. Following are the States and the locations in those
States that are being championed by those States. In four( at that
time ) States existing Universities were to be upgraded to Central
University Status:-1.Bihar Near Motihari, East Champaran District;
2 Chhatisgarh Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur will be upgraded
(approved by cabinet); 3.Goa Goa University was approved by
cabinet; but now the state has changed its mind 4.Gujarat
Gandhinagar; 5.Haryana Mirzapur Bachhor Village In Mahendergarh
District; 6. Himachal Pradesh Kangr; 7. Jharkhand Khunti (near
Ranchi); 8. J & K Dual Campus in Jammu & Srinagar; 9.
Karnataka Suntanur-Kadaganchi on the Aland Road , Gulbarga;
10.Kerala Kasaragod; 11. Madhya Pradesh Dr. Hari Singh Gaur
University, Sagar will be upgraded (approved by cabinet); 12.
Orissa Koraput; 13. Punjab Bathinda;14.Rajasthan Bikaner; 15. Tamil
Nadu Tiruvarur; 16. Uttarakhand Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal
University will be upgraded (approved by cabinet) Chapter 6
Site in Bathinda Disclosed in Stages
a) Three Sites identified, CM
On Sept. 26, 2008 the Punjab Chief Minister said that three
sites, namely Tungwali, Gehri Devigarh, and Ghudda in Bathinda
District had been identified for setting up the Central University.
The State Government would provide a land for this purpose, whereas
the Centre would provide funds for development of the Campus.
b)Nov. 23, 2008 : Ghudda decided as the place of Central University
The site for the proposed Central University in Bathinda was
finally decided. The move came months after the government had
announced that Punjab had sent a proposal to the Union Human
Resource Department Ministry for setting up a Central University in
the State. A team from the higher education and human resource
department had, as we have noted earlier, visited the city to
conduct a survey and decide on a site for the university campus.
The team had given its nod for constructing a sprawling campus at
Ghudha village on Badal road.( but it was not disclosed ). Before
deciding, five sites were seen by the team including Sardargarh,
Gehri Devigarh,. The team decided upon this site only after the
villagers gave a go-ahead in this regard. A temporary campus was
also in the pipeline before the actual campus comes up. On Dec. 5,
2008, for the 1st time publically announced that the Central
University would come up at Ghudda next year. Thereafter, at
various other places Badal had said that he was giving a gift to
the village of his ancestors.
Badal paid Pitri-Rin: According to old Indian tradition there
are three types of Rin ( debts ) which an individual is supposed to
pay in his life-time. These are Dev-Rin ( Debt to God- the Almighty
); Rishi-Rin ( Debt. to Teachers ); and Pitri-Rin ( Debt to
Ancestors ). By selecting Ghudda for the Central University of
Punjab, it seems Badal has paid Pitri-Rin though belated. But, as
it is said better late than never.
Gurdas Singh Badal, the younger brother of Prakash Singh Badal,
visited Ghudda on the occasion of Kabaddi Tounament in the first
week of Feb., 2009. He in his folk wisdom said that after 10/15
years there would be no person in Ghudda without Pents. It meant
that Ghudda would be moderanised.
The writer of these lines had also arranged for Akhand Path of
Shri Guru Granth Sahib in a Gurdwara (on behalf of all residents of
Ghudda ) on Feb.27, 2009, the Bhog was held on March 1, 2009. It
was to thank first of all The Almighty, then Dr. Manmohan Singh,
Prime Minister of India ( who conceptualized at least one Central
University in every State of India ) then last but not least
Prakash Singh Badal who was instrumental in the selection of Ghudda
for the Central University for the whole of Punjab.
Chapter 7
Passage of Bill 2008 Delayed
Though the Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Dec. 15, 2008
& sent to Rajya Sabha, It was delayed because the Goa
Government had reverted its earlier decision and on Dec. 2, 2008,
decided not to convert Goa University into Central University.
It was already decided on Nov. 15, 2008 that the State
Government of Goa would ask the Centre to delete Goa Universitys
name from the Bill pending in Parliament regarding the upgradation
to a Central University which it had, in fact, consented to it in
2007. Based on a letter from the chief Minister on November 22,
2007, the Centre had included Goa University in the Bill.
Rajya Sabha member Shantaram Naik, who was also on the HRD
Ministrys Standing Committee, said the State government had
realised its mistake. The Goa government, had, no doubt, consented
to the upgradation of Goa University to a Central University, but
it realised that the advice was wrong and hence the Chief Minister
had to write a hold on letter on October 3 this year to HRD
Minister Arjun Singh.
Naik said erasing Goa Universitys name from the list by making
an amendment to the Bill even at this stage was possible. He added
that in principle the Centres proposal to establish a Central
University had found favour in the State, but there was a division
of opinion on whether the existing University should be upgraded or
Goa should have an independent Central University. A major worry of
opponents to Goa Universitys Centralisation was whether a Central
University would protect local requirements and aspirations. Naik
pointed out that Clause 6, sub-clause 2 of the Bill stated, It
shall be the endeavour of the University to maintain an all-India
character and high standards of teaching and research. As per
Clause 6, sub-clause 2, admission of students and recruitment of
faculty should be made on an all-India basis. Although clause 7
allowed for making special provisions for the employment or
admission of women, persons with disabilities or of persons
belonging to the weaker sections of the society, it clarified that
no such special provision shall be made on grounds of domicile.
The Central Universities Bill, 2008 as introduced in Lok Sabha,
was already referred to the Department-related Parliamentary
Standing Committee on Human Resource Development. Members were
informed that the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, in consultation with the
Speaker, Lok Sabha, had referred the above Bill, as introduced in
the Lok Sabha and pending therein, to the Department-related
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development, for
examination, and report within the first week from the first day of
the next sitting of the current (214th) Session of Rajya Sabha,
scheduled to begin on 10th December, 2008. The Parliamentary
Standing Committee for HRD met on Dec.15,2008
in Room No.63 !st Floor at 4.30 pm to consider & adopt
Report 212
on the Central Universities Bill,
On Dec 17, 2008, in its Report, the Parliamentary Panel had
suggested that a proposal to upgrade Goa University into a Central
University be dropped at present and efforts made in this regard
later. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on HRD on the Central
Universities Bill 2008 said that the views both in favour and
against the upgradation of Goa University into a Central University
seemed to have some substance.
"The Committee is of the opinion that the provision relating to
upgradation of Goa University into a Central University be dropped
at this stage. Efforts may, however, be made to evaluate the
situation with a holistic and balanced approach to ensure that Goa
does not remain the only state without a Central University," it
said.
In its report presented to both Houses of Parliament, the
Committee noted that there were divergent views with one section
referring to the admission of students on all-India basis, thus
affecting the locals. The other view was that the move would
provide solution for resource crunch and faculty shortage.
But the Bill proposed to establish 12 new Central Universities
in the States which do not have a Central University so far and to
upgrade four existing State Universities
into Central Universities.
Center agreed to drop the proposal to upgrade Goa University
On Dec.22, 2009,the Union government had accepted the
recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human
Resource Development (HRD) and proposed to move official amendments
to the Central Universities Bill, 2008 to delete the name of the
Goa University from the list of varsities to be upgraded. However,
on account of paucity of time the Central Universities Bill could
not come up for consideration and passing and left for the next
Parliament Session, which was convened in February, 2009. Chapter
8
Ordinance Route
By the end of the year 2008, the situation had become very
crucial because the Bill
Could not be passed due to the u-turn of Goa Governments
decision and its acceptance by the Parliamentary Standing Committee
on Dec. 17 & by the Union Government on Dec. 22. The Bill had
to be revised and the Bill of 2008 had to be withdrawn. There was
no other way except to follow the Ordinance Route. Hence, the
government had finally taken the first solid step towards reforming
higher education. The Union Cabinet decided to issue an Ordinance
to set up 12 Central Universities and upgrade 3 existing ones to
that level on the 8th of January 2009. The issuing of the Ordinance
became necessary as the Parliament could not clear the Central
Universities Bill,2008 in its last Session due to lack of time and
also because a lot of preparatory work needs to be done to
operationalize the New Universities. The move was in fulfillment of
the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singhs assurance to the nation on
the Independence Day 2007 that 30 Central Universities would be set
up during the ongoing 11th Five Year Plan to ensure that each State
has at least one Central University. The States where these
Universities would be located were already selected and the process
of acquisition of land for the purpose had begun. The decision was
taken by the Union Cabinet in the wake of elaborate preparations
required to be taken before the Universities could be set up for
the next academic session. The government had no choice but to
bring an Ordinance as Parliament was not in session.
With the decision of the Cabinet, the long-pending matter of
Central Universities was resolved. The establishment of these
Universities was part of the UPAs promise to improve access to
higher education and increase Indias gross enrollment ratio from 10
per cent to 15 per cent by the end of the 11th five year plan.
After much trouble (the Law Ministry had problems with the
Bill), the Central Universities Bill 2008 was finally introduced in
the Lok Sabha on October 23 last and later referred to the
department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on human
resource development. The Committee presented its report on
December 17 last, the Bill could not be passed in Parliament.
The government said the proposed Ordinance contained all the
provisions of the Bill, 2008 pending in the Lok Sabha as well as
the changes required to be implemented in accordance with the
standing committees recommendations. .
The only State University whose conversion into a central one
was dropped was the Goa University.
Ordinance promulgated.
On Jan.16, 2009, the Government took the Ordinance route to set
up 12 new Central Universities and upgrade another three existing
varsities in time for the next academic session, the Union Cabinet
decided on Friday.
While the New Universities woul be set up in Bihar, Gujarat,
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka,
Kerala, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, those set to be
upgraded and converted into Central Universities are the Harisingh
Gour Vishwavidyalaya in Madhya Pradesh, the Guru Ghasidas
Vishwavidyalaya in Chhattisgarh and the Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna
Garhwal University , Uttarakhand.
Goa University and Panjab University would not be getting
Central University Status after the respective State Governments
asked for maintenance of status quo.
The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry had issued a
statement saying that the proposed Ordinance would contain all the
provisions of the Central Universities Bill, 2008 pending in the
Lok Sabha, with such changes as may be necessary to implement the
accepted recommendations of the departmental Parliamentary Standing
Committee.
Chapter 9
Final Steps In the beginning of the year 2009, the process of
establishing CentralUniversities was expedited, particularly after
promulgation of Ordinance. It was a two-way process- one, revising
the Bill & its passage by the Centre, two, acquisition of land
for the Central University in village Ghudda ( and also in other
States of India ) Both steps, one by the Centre and the other by
the State were almost simultaneous. In this Chapter we take up the
steps by the Centre i.e. replacing the Ordinance by a new Bill
after withdrawing the previous one.
The Centre prepared a Revised Bill, in the 1st half of Jan.
2009, for the creation of 15 new Central Universities for the next
academic session. The Union HRD Ministry prepared the bill which
was placed before the Cabinet.
With the opening up of these 15 New Universities the Government
aimed to add over 30,000 seats within five years, which would
provide relief to the countrys over-stretched higher education
system. Suitable changes were made by the ministry to introduce New
Bill for the New Central Universities.
15th Session of Parliament
The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Overseas Indian
Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi informed during a press conference on
Feb. 11, 2009, that the 15th Session of the Fourteenth Lok Sabha
and the 215th Session of the Rajya Sabha would commence on February
12, 2009, and conclude on February 26, 2009 subject to exigencies
of Government Business. The Session would provide 10 sittings
spread over a period of 15 days, he mentioned
The President addressed a joint session of both Houses of
Parliament at 11.00 a.m. on February 12, 2009. The Interim Railway
Budget for 2009-10 was presented in the Lok Sabha on February 13,
2009 immediately after the Question Hour, and the Interim General
Budget for 2009-10 at 11.00 a.m. on February 16, 2009. Shri Vayalar
Ravi had held a meeting with Secretaries/senior officers of the
concerned Ministries/Departments on 5.02.2009 to finalize the
Government Business for the ensuing Session of Parliament.39 items
(27 Bills, 10 Financial items and 2 Non-Legislative items) had been
identified for consideration during this Session. These included
three Bills replacing Ordinances, namely: (i) the High Court and
Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment
Ordinance, 2009 (No. 1 of 2009); (ii) the Central Industrial
Security Force (Amendment) Ordinance, 2009 (No. 2 of 2009); and
(iii) the Central Universities Ordinance, 2009 (No. 3 of 2009),
promulgated by the President
On 17. Feb. 2009 Lok Sabha passed Cent. Univs. Bill of 2009
The Bill to set up 12 Central universities in States and
converting three existing ones to the same status ( tabled on Feb.
13 ), introduced on Feb.17 was passed by Lok Sabha on Feb.19,
2009...
The Central Universities Bill, 2009 was passed by a voice vote
It aimed at creating one New Central University each in Bihar,
Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand,
Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
It also sought to convert Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in
Chhattisgarh, Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya in Madhya Pradesh and
Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna University in Uttarakhand into Central
Universities.
Replying to a debate on the bill, Minister of State for HRD D
Purandeshwari said the aim of spending six per cent of GDP on
education has to be shared by the Centre and the State governments
and urged States not to reduce their share of expenditure in this
regard.
Passed by Rajya Sabha on Feb. 24, 2009 The Central Universities
Bill establishing 12 New Central Universities from scratch and
upgrading three State Universities was passed in the Rajya Sabha on
24th Feb 2009. (It was earlier introduced in the Lok Sabha on 17th
Feb 2009 and passed in the Lok Sabha on 19th Feb 2009. Together
with that the earlier Bill was withdrawn).On March 20, 2009 The
Bill became Act No. 3 of 2009 with the signatures of President.
Bill Summary The Central Universities Bill, 2009
The Central Universities Bill, 2009, was tabled in the Lok Sabha
Feb.13,, 2009.
The Bill seeks to establish Central Universities in Bihar,
Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand,
Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. It
also seeks to convert Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in
Chhattisgarh, Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya in Madhya
Pradesh and Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University in
Uttarakhand into Central Universities.
The objects of each University shall be to impart knowledge by
providing instructional and research facilities in specified
branches, to make special provisions for integrated courses in
humanities, social sciences, science and technology, to establish
linkages with industries for the promotion of science and
technology.
The University shall have the power to provide instructions in
such branches as determined by it, to grant diplomas or degrees on
basis of examinations, to confer honorary degrees, to provide
facilities through distance education system, to institute and
award fellowships, scholarships and mm.prizes, to determine
standards of admission to the university, and to enforce discipline
among students and employees.
The President of India shall be the Visitor of the University.
He has the power to review the work of the University and submit a
report. The Visitor may, after obtaining the views of the Executive
Council (principal executive body of the University) take such
action as necessary and the University shall be obliged to
follow.
After calling upon the Registrar to show cause why such an
action shall not be taken, the Visitor may annul any proceedings of
the University which does not conform to the Act.
The Bill lists the officers of the University as the Chancellor,
the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro-Vice Chancellor, the Deans of Schools,
the Registrar, the Finance Officer, the Controller of Examinations
and the Librarian. The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor shall be
appointed by the Visitor in the prescribed manner. Other officers
shall be appointed in the manner as prescribed in the Statutes.
The Authorities of the University include the Court, the
Executive Council, the Academic Council, the Board of Studies, and
the Finance Committee. The constitution of these Authorities and
terms of office of their members shall be as prescribed.
The University is bound to follow such directions on questions
of policy as the central government deems necessary in public
interest. [ See Appendix II for 12 New Central Universities and 3
State Universities converted with their Jurisdiction from The
Gazette of India Extraordinary ]
Chapter 10
Final Steps byPunjab Govt.
Jan.1,2009: The anxiety and eagerness of Prakash Singh Badal,
the Chief Minister Punjab could be seen that he started his new
year ( 2009 ) by enquiring about the position of Central University
of Punjab. The very first issue he took up at his residential
office was to know from Ms Anjali Bhanwra, I.A.S., the then
Education Secretary, the progress of the Central University, as
reported in the media.
Acquisition of Land for Central University at Ghudda
l On Jan. 10, 2009, a six-member Action Committee of village
Ghudda, including Harpal Singh, Herdev Singh, and Baljinder Singh
agitated against the acquisition of land for the Central University
saying that at least 80 families would be rendered landless in
Ghudda, the ancestral village of chief minister Parkash Singh
Badal, where more than 500 acres of fertile land was being acquired
for setting up the Central University. Actually they were not
against the University but demanded higher compensatin for their
land..
Process of Land Aquisition By Pb. Govt. started:
Notice under Section 4 dated Jan.19, appeared in newspapers on
Jan.22, 2009, for acquisition of 544 acres, 2 kanals and 4 marlas,
under which one month notice was given to file objections if any.
Then, notice Under Section 6, issued on Feb.21 , appeared in
newspapers on Feb.24,2009.
During this period District Committee decided the rates for
compensation. in its meeting held on Jan.27, 2009, which were lower
than the promised rates. But with the passage of time the rates
were acceptable because of interest added to it..
Then there was a demand from the farmers that payment should be
made in one go and not in instalments. On Jan.29,2009: at village
Kaljhrani, the CM assured lumpsum payment and the farmers were
satisfied.
On 17 Feb. 2009, Badal held a Sangat Darshan programme in the
village Ghudda, where senior officials of all departments concerned
were present. The meeting was held to assess public views before
finalising the overall development projects for the village. The CM
said the development was being undertaken in view of the Central
University project, for which acquisition of land would start soon.
The village would get Rs 5 crore in lieu of the chunk of Panchayat
land acquired for the University.
In the meeting, a US-based team of landscapists, PSEB Chairman,
Director General, School Education and Secretaries of various
departments were present along with the Deputy Commissioner,
Bathinda, and senior police officers. On 4 March, 2009, Upinderjit
Kaur, Education Minister, Punjab informed the House ( which was in
Session ) that the Central University was being setup at Ghudda
village in Bathinda district. To acquire land measuring 544 acres,
two kanal and four marla for this purpose, a notification had
already been issued. For the payment of compensation to the land
owners an amount of Rs 166 crore had been sanctioned, she Said
while to the land owners an amount of Rs 166 crore had been
sanctioned, she said while pointing out that this University would
help in expansion and improvement of quality education in the
region. Elections to the Lok Sabha were announced on March 7, 2009
& Code of Conduct was enforced. Therefore Special Permission
was sought as the process had already been started much earlier and
the same was given..
The payment to the land owners started to be paid from April 14,
2009. Faultless Acquisition:
It is to be noted that, unlike many other cases, the entire
process of land acquisition in case of Central University was
meticulously planned and faultlessly executed, The Affidavit to be
given by the beneficiaries was prepared in such a way that there
was no scope left for any litigation between the beneficiary and
the State, ( there are of course, some cases between the
beneficiaries themselves ) The credit for faultless & speedy
acquisition goes to Ms Anjali Bhanwra, I.A.S., the then Education
Secretary; Mr. Rahul Tiwari, I.A.S., Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda,
Mr. K.P.S. Mahi & Mr. Balinderjit Singh ( SDMs, one after the
other ); Ms. Savita, Tehsildar; Mr. Karnail Singh Bhullar (
Naib-Tehsildar ); Mr. Gurdip Singh, Patwari ( Ghudda ); Mr. Gurtej
Singh Patwari ( Jhumba ); and Mr. Rajinder Singh ( Technical
Assistant ).
Chapter 11 Vice Chancellor Appointed
On February 28, 2009, internationally renowned Geneticist Dr Jai
Rup Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev (GND) University, was
one of the 15 academicians who were appointed Vice-Chancellor of
new Central Universities of the Country. Appointed VC of GND
University on July 22, 2006, he is considered to be the pioneer in
India in human genetics: prenatal and postnatal diagnosis of
genetic diseases.
The three-year term of Dr Jai Rup Singh as VC, GND varsity,
would have ended on July 22, 2009. Dr Jai Rup Singh is the son of
eminent Punjabi scholar, late Prof Pritam Singh, and grandson of
Giani Sahib Singh, a Sikh scholar.
A FIMSA recipient, Dr Jai Rup Singh, had stint as scientific
advisor of the GENDIA International Foundation, USA; Chairman of
the Indian Genetic Alliance for the Prevention of Genetic Disorders
and Care of the Families; and President of the Indian Society of
Human Genetics (2001-02). Besides, he has also represented Asia as
Vice-President of the International Genetic Alliance, USA; the
World Eye Foundation India; and the International Association of
Human Biologists.
Dr Singh did his doctorate from AIIMS in 1973 and joined GND
Varsity the same year. He was elevated to the post of Professor in
1986. He set up the first independent Department of Human Genetics
in India at that University and also established a unique
internationally reputed Centre for Genetic Disorders a first in any
Indian University.
Recently, in a major breakthrough, a team led by him and
supported by scientists from the National Institute of Health, USA,
and the Institute of Human Genetics, Berlin, Germany, had
identified three new cataract-causing genes in Indian families
after 15 years of research.
Dr Singh has published three scientific books, 11 manuals and
over 80 research publications. He has guided over 50 students for
PhD, MPhil, MD and MSc. He had successfully organized four
international symposia on human genetics and 12 training workshops.
He has also organized free diagnosis of genetic diseases like
thalassemia and also providing genetic diagnosis, counselling and
guidance to patients since 1973.
Dr Singh had been honoured with various medals and awards in
recognition of his commendable services in the field of human
genetics.
His appointment was welcomed by all & also by the articulate
sections village Ghudda It is a challenge as well as an opportunity
to be a Founding Vice Chancellor of a University in a backward
area.
Vice Chancellors Conference at Delhi: 15 New Central
Universities, would start functioning from the year 2010-11. This
decision was taken at a two-day Conference during which
Vice-Chancellors of the 15 New Central Universities presented their
plans before the University Grants Commission (UGC. The Conference
ended on May 1, 2009.The government appointed Vice-Chancellors met
here for the first time to prepare a roadmap for making the 15 new
Central Universities functional from the 2010-11 Session. The New
VCs had assured UGC that they would be able to start courses in
their institutions. Most of them have been given land. They are
expected to start certain courses from the coming session, said a
UGC official. The Universities would offer under-graduate,
post-graduate, M.Phil and Ph.D programmes, besides courses on
regional issues, said the UGC official.The UGC had already
sanctioned nearly Rs.2 crore to each of these Universities to meet
their operational expenditure. Most of the Universities are
expected to start with a temporary campus. Some already have
temporary campuses, said the UGC official.
Punjab Govt. keen to start the University: The Punjab government
was keen to start the academic session of the proposed Central
University 2009 year itself and was trying to find a suitable
premises for the purpose. Addressing a press meet in Bathinda late
on April 25, 2009, Parksh Singh Badal said, The Central University
has been approved and will come up in Ghudda village in Bathinda
district. The land acquisition process is almost complete. No
doubt, the project has been finalised but the completion of the
building may take some time. So, without wasting any time, special
teams have been constituted to search a place so that the classes
can begin. The building of the spinning mill, which is now closed,
located on the outskirts of the city, is being considered as a
makeshift alternative for the University. Even the Vice-Chancellor
of the University is here and he has been allotted accommodation,
Badal added.
Chapter 12
A Make-Shift Arrangement:
On 11 May, 2009, authorities of the Central University, Punjab
were all set to begin the session with makeshift arrangements in
the 37-acre wide premises of a closed Spinning Mill located near
the Industrial Growth Centre in Bathinda. The final building would
come up in Ghudda village. Teams from various departments visited
Bathinda and its periphery to check the feasibility of some
shortlisted locations and checked the feasibility of the
infrastructure. After all the surveys, the Spinning Mill was
finally selected.
On Friday, June 19, 2009, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash
Singh Badal, gave in principle, approval to lease out the premises
of Bathinda Cooperative Spinning Mills under liquidation for five
years to the Central University of Punjab at Bathinda.Disclosing
this a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that this decision
had been taken to enable the University to start its current
academic session 2009-10. On July 8, 2009, the Central University,
Punjab (CUP), assumed control of the premises of the Bathinda
Integrated Cooperative Spinning Mills Limited (Bacospin) after
signing a lease to use it as transit campus for initial five years.
According to the deed of the agreement, to use the abandoned
building of the mill (under liquidation) on the Mansa road, the
University would pay monthly rent of Rs 1,35,800 to the authorities
of Bacospin. The lease was signed by Vice-Chancellor Jai Rup Singh
on behalf of the University and Anil Sharma on behalf of Bacospin.
The building and surrounding areas of the sSpinning Mill were
deserted for a decade and required repair. Since there is no
electricity and water connection in Bacospin and it was unfurnished
and closed for several years, therefore, the University would
arrange power and water connections.
Getting approval from the Ministry of Human Resource Development
and the UGC the CPWD, Chandigarh, had been renovating the building
of the mill by inviting tenders. At the time of the signing of the
agreement, Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, Rahul Tewari was also
present in the Tehsil office, Bathinda.
Additional Land for University:
On June 30, 2009, the Punjab government approved the site plan
of Central University of Punjab coming up at Bathinda by giving
additional 300 ft. wide road linking Badal-Ghudda road with the
University
A decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister
Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting with the Vice Chancellor of
Central University of Punjab Dr. Jairup Singh. This 300 ft wide
road would be initially developed as 4-lane road which would be
later on converted into 8-lane after the completion of the
University Complex. The Chief Minister also gave in principle
approval to allot 45 acres of additional land adjoining to the
University for the development of educational infrastructure with
100 ft wide road access from Badal-Ghudda road. Two mammoth gates
would also be constructed at the exit and entry points of the
University Campus to give it grandeur look by acquiring extra land
( In the meanwhile there was a demand for naming the University.
On19 July, 2009, Dr. Chaman Lal wrote a letter to Shri Kapil Sibal
that had sent a mail from to Sh. Arjun Singh , then HRD minister
requesting him with sound reasons to name Central University of
Bathinda as Shaheed Bhagat Singh National University. Though the
University has been established and has started functioning also, I
again wish to bring it to your notice that this University needs to
be named after Bhagat Singh ) Chapter 13 VCs Message &
Additional Facilities in Ghudda Prof. Dr. Jai Rup Singh Vice
Chancellor
VC MESSAGE
Already in top-gear, the Central University of Punjab is making
earnest efforts to initiate its first academic session from this
very year. Having overcome the initial herculean hurdles of finding
a suitable place to make a beginning, the University is all set for
making its presence felt in the Malwa region of Punjab. This
university would, in a very short time, become the beacon of higher
education in Punjab. In this student-friendly university, the
emphasis would be on quality education and on hands-on practical
training. The best research facilities in the region would be
created here. This is evident from the meticulously planned details
for the City Campus of the university which has materialized in the
heart of Bathinda in an area spread over 35 acres. The university
has spent 30 million rupees on the renovation this site which is
almost ready to move in.
The City Campus of the university would have the latest
facilities including campus-wide wireless internet connectivity
support by optical fiber backbone. Twenty-four hour power supply
would be ensured at the campus through standby generators.
Provisions have also been made to extend research facilities to the
faculty as soon as they join. Keeping in view the needs of the
region and the country, eight Schools have been short-listedfor
being established at the university. Each school would have 4 to 8
Centres (Departments) providing instructions in the latest fields
of study in their respective areas. We propose to introduce
cross-disciplinary programmes in tune with the latest trends the
world over. Most of the courses would be of integrated nature and
there would be possibilities of switching over from one course to
another. Study of one course in science would be compulsory for
those opting for humanities/social sciences and similarly one
course of humanities/social sciences would be compulsory for those
joining the science/technology stream. The university would be
following semester system with 100% internal evaluation and
continuous assessment. The university would be following grade
point system. A credit transfer mechanism with the other university
would be introduced for the benefit of the students. The students
would be able to see their evaluated answer sheets and they would
also be participating in the teacher assessment programs.
The university aims at offering liberal scholarships to the
students. All the students joining M.Phil./Ph.D. programs would be
given fellowships. The fees for the various courses would be very
nominal. The main campus of the university would come up near
Bathinda. It would be spread over an area of 500 acres. The
construction activity at the main campus would start very soon. The
digital survey of the land and also the detailed geographical
estimates about soil bearing capacity and water resources is in
process. This Campus would be built on the concept of Green Campus
and all the buildings would be adhering to this concept. The
designing of the main campus would be done by the best architects
to be selected through global tenders.
Joining the Central University of Punjab offers a unique
opportunity to the students to become a part of the history by
being the first batch of students. For faculty, it is an
opportunity to fulfill their academic dreams and become partners in
building up an institution form the very beginning.Contacts Postal
AddressCamp Office: 0164-2240555 Central University of Punjab City
Campus: 0164-2430585-86 P.O. Box-55Fax: 0164-2240555 Bathinda-151
001E-mail: [email protected] Website:
www.centralunipunjab.com
New Facilities in Ghudda Village Ghudda seems to become future
centre of attraction due to the Central University. Many facilities
follow the University. There will be a College supported by the
Centre. There will also be a Hostel and a Model School. The roads
are being widened. Cooperative Bank was already there, and two more
Banks, namely Oriental Bank of Commerce and State Bank of Patiala
have also opened their Branches, one after the other:
On Sept.7, 2009,Dr Jai Rup Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the Central
University of Punjab , inaugurated 1413th branch of the Oriental
Bank of Commerce.. Assistant General Manager A.S. Cheema said the
office was opened for the benefit of the students of the Central
University and would also cater to business in the rural part of
this area. J.P. Arya, chief manager, S.K. Garg, chief manager, R.C.
Gupta, chief manager, S.S. Dagar, ARM, Mohit Gupta ARM and
prominent personalities from the area were present on the occasion.
On Sept. 30, 2009, State Bank of Patiala opened its 859th branch .
It was inaugurated by KD Vashisht, Assistant General Manager,
Region-I, Zonal Office, Bathinda. Vashisht spoke about the aims and
objectives of opening the branch in the region and said the bank
was looking forward to the upcoming Central University, Punjab, to
provide services to its staff and students. NK Batra, Assistant
General Manager, Region-III, Bathinda and Hamir Singh, Branch
Manager, Ghudda, thanked the Panchayat and the public for
suppor
Tail Piece: If it had happened in my younger days, I would have
stayed here at my birth-place. All wise men say that ifs are not in
our hands. Life is not a Cassette which can be replayed. At this
stage of my life and also because of my familys circumstances I can
not make it.
God bless Ghudda ! God bless the University ! Amarjit Singh
Dhillon
Nov.30, 2009 Appendix I
List of those who excelled in various fields from Ghudda
1. S. Pritam Singh Ghudda[ First Police Officer from Ghudda
]
2. S. Atma Singh Dhillon [ Manager Diary Farm, Patiala State
]
3. S. Balwant Singh Dhillon [ First B.A.B.Com & Forest
Supervisor Patiala State ]
4. S. Harchand Singh Dhillon [ First Capt. In Army ]
5. S. Bhag Singh Dhillon [ Capt. In Army ]
6. S. Kuldip Singh Dhillon [ First Col. In Army ]
7. S. Harnek Singh Bhullar [ Lt. Col. In Army ]
8. S. Ajaib Singh Dhillon [ Capt. In Army ]
9. S. Jagjit Singh Bhullar [ Capt. In Army ]
10. Sh. Tirath Ram Sharma [ S.D.O. ]
11. S. Gurmel Singh [ Naib Tehsildar ]
12. S. Jagir Singh [ Manager ]
13. S. Ranjit Singh Sidhu [ A.S.I. ]
14. Sh. Vijya Kumar Goyal [ Executive Officer ]
15. S. Jagtar Singh Dhillon [ Panchayt Officer ]
16. S. Pal Singh S/O Kheta S. [ B.E.O. ]
17. S. Gurmel S. S/O Kheta S. [ B.E.O. ]
18. S. Harpal Singh Dhillon [ Head Master ]
19. Dr. Daljit Kaur Dhillon/Gill [ Medical Doctor ]
20. Dr. Kasturi Lal [ S.M.O. Barnala ]
21. Dr. Puneet Pal [ in service at Delhi ]
22. Dr. Gagan Jot [ in service at Delhi ]
23. Dr. Harmohinder S. Dhillon [ in U.S.A. ]
24. Dr. Gagandip S. Dhillon [ in U.S.A. ]
25. Kritpal Singh Dhillon [ Doing MBBS in AIIMS Delhi ]
26. Sh. R. Goyal [ Eng. Poona ]
27. Sh. G.L. Sharma [ Eng. Poona ]
28. Sh. Rasham Singh [ N.F.L. Bathinda ]
29. Ramandip S. Dhillon [ M. Tech. U.S.A. ]
30. Rajveer S. Dhillon [ B. Tech. U.S.A. ] Appendix II
12 New Central Universities & 3 State Universities with
Jurisdiction Registered No DL-(N)04/0007/2003-09
The Gazette of India Extraordinary Part II-Section I Published
by Authority No.27 New Delhi ,Friday, March 20,2009/29 Phalguna
,1930
THE FIRST SCHEDULE [ New 12 Universities ] [See Section
3(4)]
Section 3(4) There shall be established ,the University in the
various States as bodies
corporate, by such names and territorial jurisdiction ,as
specified in the first
Schedule to this
Act.___________________________________________________________________
Serial State Name of the University Territorial Jurisdiction
No.
________________________________________________________
1. Bihar Central University of Bihar Whole of the State of
Bihar
2. Gujarat Central University of Gujarat Whole of the State of
Gujarat
3. Haryana Central University of Haryana Whole of the State
ofHaryana
4. Himachal Pradesh Central University of Himachal Pradesh Whole
of the State ofHimachal Pradesh
5. Jammu and Kashmir Central University of Jammu and Kashmir
Whole of the State of Jammuand Kashmir
6. Jharkhand Central University of Jharkhand Whole of the State
ofJharkhand
7. Karnataka Central University of Karnataka Whole of the State
ofKarnataka
8. Kerala Central University of Kerala Whole of the State of
Kerala
9. Orissa Central University of Orissa Whole of the State of
Orissa
10. Punjab Central University of Punjab Whole of the State of
Punjab
11. Rajasthan Central University of Rajasthan Whole of the State
ofRajasthan
12. Tamil Nadu Central University of Tamil Nadu Whole of the
Stateof Tamil Nadu
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 State Universities Converted
Section 4. On and from the dated of commencement of this
Act,-
(a) any reference to Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor
Harisingh Gour
Vishwavidyalaya or Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University ,
in any contract
or other instrument shall be deemed as a reference to Guru
Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya,
Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, and Hemvati Nandan
Bahuguna Garhwal
University, respectively, established under this Act;
(b) All properties, movable and immovable, of or belonging to
Guru Ghasidas
Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya and
Hemvati Nandan
Bahuguna Garhwal University, shall vest in Guru Ghasidas
Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor
Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya or Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna
Garhwal University,
as the case may be, established under this Act.
(c ) all rights and liabilities of Guru Ghasidas
Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor
Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya and Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna
Garhwal
University, shall be transferred to , and be the rights and
liabilities of, Guru Ghasidas
Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya and
Hemvati Nandan
Bahuguna Garhwal University, respectively, established under
this Act;
(d) every person employed by Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya,
Doctor
Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya and Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna
Garhwal
University, immediately before the commencement of this Act
shall hold his office or
service in Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor Harisingh Gour
Vishwavidyalaya
and Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, respectively ,
established under
this Act by the same tenure, at the same remuneration and upon
the same terms and
conditions and with the same rights and privileges as to
pension, leave, gratuity,
provident fund and other matters as he would have held the same
if this Act had not
been enacted and shall continue to do so unless and until his
employment is terminated
or until such tenure, remuneration and terms and conditions are
duly altered by the
Statutes;
Provided that if the alteration so made is not acceptable to
such employee, his
employment may be terminated by the University in accordance
with the terms of the
contract with the employee or, if no provision is made therein
in this behalf, on
payment, to him by the University, of compensation equivalent to
three months
remuneration in case of permanent employees and one months
remuneration in the
case of other employees:
Provided further that every person employed before the
commencement of
this Act, pending the execution of a contract under section 33,
shall be deemed to have
been appointed in accordance with the provisions of a contract
consistent with the
provisions of this Act and the Statutes:
Provided also that any reference, by whatever form of words, to
the vice-
Chancellor and Pro-Vice- Chancellor of Guru Ghasidas
Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor
Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya or Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna
Garhwal University,
in any law for the time being in force, or in any instrument or
other document, shall be
Map of Land for Cent. Univ. in Ghudda
Amarjit Singh Dhillon (Dr.)
Brief-Biodata
Place of Birth : Village Ghudda, Dist. Bathinda(Pb.)
(Now a seat of Central University of Punjab)
Recorded Date of Birth : 15 December, 1935
(A) Education
1. Education upto B.A. Balbir High School &
Birjindra College, Farid Kot
2. M.A. (Pol.Sc.) Mohindra College, Patiala (1958)
3. M.A. (History) Mohindra College, Patiala (1960)
4. M.A. (Pub.Admn.) Private(Pb.Univ.Chandigarh (1964)
5. Gyani(Hons.in Punjabi) Private(Pb.Univ.Chandigarh(1953)
6. Ph.D. (Pub.Admn.) Pbi.Univ. Patiala (1987)
(B) Academic Work
1. Lecturer Guru Nanak College,Guru Tegbahadur Garh
(1960-61)
2. Lecturer Khalsa College, Patiala (1961-71)
3. Principal Khalsa College,Patiala (1971-74)
4. Director Pbi.Development Punjabi University,
Patiala(1974-93)
5. Dean of Colleges Punjabi University,Patiala (1993-97)
