CHANDIGARH:
Punjab chief minister
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 given the improvement in the
Covid-19 scenario in the state, pointing out that the "inexplicable delay" in
polling was causing resentment among various constituents of the institution.
In a letter to the Chancellor, Amarinder has urged him to advise the Panjab University and the Chandigarh administration for proper and timely conduct of elections to the senate of the university.
Stressing that failure to conduct elections to the senate, whose current term ended on October 31, was not only annoying but was also against good governance and the law, Amarinder 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 the CM, education minister, and DPI (Colleges) of the state, who represent Punjab, he pointed out.
‘No senate polls will hit syndicate’On the Panjab University administration and Centre’s view that the situation was not conducive to holding senate elections due to Covid-19
pandemic, chief minister Amarinder said 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.
In his letter to Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, he stated: “True, there is a need to ensure compliance of the protocol to contain the pandemic and there should be no reason for the university and even the Chandigarh administration or the state government not to comply with these.” Amarinder pointed out that ever since the university was set up, its senate was constituted after every four years, with members being elected through a democratic process.
Over the last six decades senate polls were held regularly in August-September of relevant year, he said, adding that if the senate is not constituted, the syndicate of the university, whose term ends on December 31, would also not be formed. The term of the senate ended on August 31 and elections to the senate after every four years is mandatory.