“Your recent announcement of establishing a Central University in each state/union territory is a welcome step, and would have its positive implications on the future of higher education in India. As you know, Panjab University is one of the four Federal Universities of India and, like other Central Universities, has been established by the Act of Parliament.
In the light of emergence of Chandigarh as a new knowledge-hub in the North-West India, it is time to recognise Panjab University as a Central University so that new vistas of research and education be opened up. In fact, the predominant character of Panjab University is already of a Central University as its Chancellor is Vice-President of India and, practically, 85 per cent of the University budget is raised either from its own resources or is funded by the Union Government. The long cherished dream of the faculty for the Central University Status to Panjab University has got a new impetus after your recent announcement of setting up new Central Universities all over India. The teaching community of Panjab University had already launched a signature campaign last year the copy of which has been marked to your office by the Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Finance Sh. Pawan Kumar Bansal.
At present, Panjab University has been accorded the status of inter-state body corporate, and as a result of this the administrative process becomes cumbersome and important administrative decisions are delayed for want of timely dual ratification from the Union Government and the Punjab Government. Keeping in view the demand of fast changing academic scenario and new global realities, it would be appropriate to grant Punjab University the status of a Central University. It is worth mentioning here that P.U. not only caters to the academic needs of the North-West region, a large number of students from the North-East are also taking their education from here. A Brief about the P.U. is enclosed at Annexure A.
The entire teaching community sincerely wishes that, like PGI, Chandigarh and Allahabad University, Panjab University be declared central university at the earliest. It will be a major milestone in the glorious history of Panjab University.
We, therefore, request you to use your good offices to impart the status of a Central University to Panjab University. It would be a memorable gift by the Prime Minister, who happens to be an alumni of the university itself, to the entire region and would add to the enthusiasm for the ongoing Diamond Jubilee celebrations on the campus. Further, we will be grateful if an appointment could be given to a delegation of the teachers so that we could explain all the relevant queries in person.”