Chandigarh: The Punjab assembly passed the Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023 to replace the governor with the CM as the chancellor of state-run universities, becoming the fourth state after Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu to pass such a bill.
However, in none of the three states the bill has become a legislation as the respective governors have not given their nod.
Speaking during the debate on the bill, CM Bhagwant Mann said men of high integrity, prudence and repute need to be appointed as university vice chancellors to carry forward the rich culture, traditions and legacy of the state. It is surprising that the governor, who knows nothing about the state, is empowered (as chancellor) to appoint vice-chancellors, which is totally unfair, he said.
Interestingly, like other amendments in various laws, the bill, too, will be sent to governor Banwarilal Purohit for his assent. Mann said rather than securing the interests of the state, the governor is often seen on the other side. Instead of safeguarding the interests of Punjab and Punja-bis, he had been taking a stance in favour of Haryana to allow its entry in the Panjab University senate, he added. This is a very strange situation as the governor, “just to appease his political masters in Delhi, is indulging in such gimmicks”, he said.
Mann said the governor’s act is a brazen disrespect of the verdict of the people. No interference of the governor is required in the day-to-day functioning of the state universities, he added.