Capt writes to Vice President seeking early polls to Panjab University senate

Says delay causing resentment among university constituents, also cites improved Covid situation

Capt Amarinder Singh. Photo: Twitter@PunjabGovtIndia

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 13

Citing improvement in the state’s Covid situation, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has written to Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who is also the Chancellor of Panjab University, seeking early elections to the university senate, since the inexplicable delay in polling is “causing resentment” among various constituents of the institution.

In a DO letter to the Chancellor, the Chief Minister has urged him to advise the Panjab University Administration and the Administration of the Union Territory 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 canons of any good governance and the law, the Chief Minister said, “There is a substantial resentment among 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 the Centre felt that the situation was not conducive to holding elections due to the Covid pandemic, Amarinder said the situation had improved and elections to Parliament, Legislative Assemblies, and various other urban and rural local bodies had been held across the nation. “True, there is a need to ensure compliance of the protocol that has been evolved in the last few months to contain the pandemic and there should be no reason for the University administration and even the Administration of Union Territory of Chandigarh or the State Government not to comply with these,” he added.