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Following the observation of financial crunch being faced by Panjab University and passing the responsibility to Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in the matter, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday, 2nd December 2016 pulled up the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Also Read: Panjab University may Shut Down by January If Centre Does Not Provide Funds
A division bench comprising Justices Lisa Gill and S S Saron asked UGC to shut the university and not even wait for three months. They exclaimed that the students should be asked to shift to other universities if UGC doesn't want to give funds.
These observations came to light following the hearing of an application moved by UGC which disclosed that the final installment of INR 44 crore would be released to the University in the 4th quarter of the current financial year.
The nodal higher education body on its part sought an exemption of its secretary and chairman from appearing in the court on the next date of hearing. Though the court granted these officials an exemption from appearance, but it ordered that a UGC senior official should remain present on 12 December 2016.
Also Read: Drop in World University Rankings - A Major Concern for Panjab University
The UGC on its part informed the court that no special provision exists in the UGC as off date for funding of Panjab University. It also informed that the letter dated 1st November 2010 by MHRD assured the release of funds to mitigate the problems being faced by Panjab University.
Till date, no funds have been earmarked for the University nor any additional allocation has been made to UGC by Ministry of Human Resource Development, UGC stated in its report.
