Punjabi University is Punjab govt’s responsibility; Our Govt is already taking care of it- Kultar Singh Sandhwan
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
Today, Kultar Singh Sandhwan, the Speaker of Punjab assembly along with Punjab agriculture minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal visited Punjabi University, Patiala for the first time, since the formation of aam admi party (AAP) in Punjab.
“Punjabi University is Punjab govt’s responsibility; Punjab Govt is already taking care of it”- Kultar Singh Sandhwan said after the function in which they came as chief guests in the university campus.
The university expects to receive a special grant from the state government to cover its previously availed bank loan.
The state government increased the university’s allocation in the recent Budget from Rs 114 crore per year to Rs 200 crore, which included Rs 150 crore salary grant and Rs 50 crore non-salary grant. The university discussed with the minister that the non-salary grant be converted to salary component to enable it to manage its financial affairs properly. The university had also sought the government’s nod to increase its yearly allocation to Rs 240 crore from Rs 200 crore. For all this, few days ago, Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Arvind had met Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and discussed the financial condition of the university with him.
In another function at the university campus, Sandhwan honours the commonwealth games Bronze medalist Harjinder Kaur.
Meanwhile, Punjabi University promised a job to commonwealth games Bronze medalist Harjinder Kaur while Kultar Singh Sandhwan, the Speaker of Punjab assembly announced an award of five lakh rupees from his discretionary quota. Visiting the university for the first time after returning from Birmingham, Harjinder Kaur thanked the university and Punjab government from the dias and demanded better facilities sports facilities for the sportspersons in Punjabi University so that they don’t have to struggle as she struggled during her journey from rural Punjab to Commonwealth glory.
A function specially organised by the sports department of Punjabi University to felicitate Harjinder Kaur at Kala Bhavan saw a wonderful scene when the gathering welcomed the medalist with a huge round of applause as she walked in the hall along with her parents.
Speaking from the dais Kultar Singh Sandhwa appreciated the struggle of Harjinder Kaur and congratulated her parents and coaching staff. He said, ‘Harjinder Kaur is a role model for Punjabi girls who can imitate her to make us proud all across the world.’ He added that the Punjab government will extend every possible help to the university as well as to the sportspersons.
Speaking on the occasion Prof. Arvind, Vice Chancellor of the University stated that Harjinder Kaur’s feat is testimony of the character of Punjabi University. He said, ‘Punjabi University is poor but not weak. The governments need to nurture such institutions so that they keep on serving the rural, the poor and the women.’
Gurdeep Kaur Randhawa, Director Sports of Panjab University shared sports achievements of the university. Over the years has Punjabi University have almost regularly won MACA trophy or have remained in the top four universities. She said, ‘Despite limitations of infrastructure and resources Punjabi University has made Punjab and Punjabi Society proud through its achievements in sports. On the one hand Panjab University has produced renowned intellectuals and on the other hand Punjabi University has produced sportspersons of international stature.
August 8,2022
